Mumbai helicopter crash: Technician tells cops there was no glitch during previous flight

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Shankar, a native of Nalanda in Bihar, joined Aman Aviation only on December 3. Fuelling, maintenance work, engine check, assisting in parking the chopper and any other technical matter were part of his job profile.

On Sunday morning, he first took off with a couple for a joyride along with pilot Praful Kumar Mishra between 11.30 am and 11.45 am.

The chopper faced no technical problem, Shankar has said in his statement to investigating police officials. “If there are three passengers, he need not accompany the pilot. Because there were just two passengers, he was asked to sit in front to balance the weight,” said a police officer from the Aarey Colony police station.

When Ritesh and Vrinda Modi boarded the helicopter to get an aerial tour of Mumbai to celebrate their wedding anniversary, it was the second flight of the day for Mishra and Shankar.

According to Aman Aviation, the chopper took off at 11.46 am. It was over Goregaon’s Film City when the pilot first realised the clutch was not working. He immediately informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) that he would have to do an emergency landing. Within seconds, the helicopter reached Aarey Colony’s Filter Pada area where Mishra looked for a safe spot to land.

According to ATC officials, the emergency call came at 11.57 am, but Aman Aviation representatives said it was made at 11.59 am, 13 minutes after the chopper took off. Seconds after the emergency call, the chopper crashed.

According to Shankar’s statement, the pilot delayed the landing by seconds when he found a group of local boys playing cricket on the hilly slopes of Filter Pada and decided to avoid an emergency landing there. The chopper’s lower surface brushed a tree as Mishra flew it low looking for another spot to land. It crashed on a spot in the hilly terrain a few seconds later.

According to Shankar, he was unable to move and shouted for help. Local farmer Lakhma Page was the first to reach him. Other locals joined him and Shankar’s seat belt was cut open using Page’s farm tools.

As he was pulled out, Shankar has said in his statement, he could see fire engulf the helicopter. He asked the locals to first save the others as he was not as injured as the others.

Shankar sustained fractures in his hand and ankle. According to Dr Raj Karwa, medical superintendent at Seven Hills Hospital, Shankar is likely to undergo a surgery Tuesday.

Shankar’s parents were informed in Nalanda by a colleague at Aman Aviation. “They are not very educated. They could not immediately leave for Mumbai as there were no trains available. They are expected to arrive Tuesday morning,” said Arun Choukashi, the colleague.

Shankar lives alone in Naigaon and is unmarried.