One killed, two pilots injured as helicopter carrying pilgrims crashes in Badrinath

Dehradun: A helicopter carrying pilgrims from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand crash-landed just after taking off on Saturday, killing a crew member and injuring two pilots.

The accident took place around 7.45 am. The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was going to Haridwar. It got imbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell.

An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi said that an engineer, who was part of the crew, died in the accident, while the two pilots suffered injuries.

Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt told PTI on the phone that the engineer was hit by rotor blades.

All the five passengers were from Vadodara in Gujarat and are reportedly safe.

Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat offered condolences to the family members of the engineer.