Chopper crash: 14 Armymen injured

The chopper, which took off on a routine sortie with three IAF members and 15 Army personnel, caught fire after its 22-metre main rotor hit a tree about 40 feet above the ground. The helicopter crashed around 9.25 am and rolled 200 feet down a hill.

All the injured, including those with minor fractures due to the fall, are being treated at the military hospital in Potha. The co-pilot, Wg Cdr S. Sinha, escaped without injuries.

Both the Army and the IAF have ruled out sabotage and the IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. The forces were in agreement that it was the timely evacuation call by the pilot that had averted a major tragedy.

A chopper, under GOC Romeo Force Maj Gen G.D. Bakshi was also parked near the helipad, though an IAF spokesperson said there was no damage to civil property.

The Russian Mi-17s were purchased under two orders in 1986 and 2000, the latter with improved engines and avionics. The close air support utility choppers were procured to replace the Mi-8s in a phased manner.