In a tragic incident that has shocked the political landscape, a helicopter intended to transport Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sunil Tatkare from Mumbai to Pune crashed in Bawdhan on Wednesday morning, resulting in the loss of three lives, including two pilots and an engineer. Miraculously, Tatkare, who had flown on the same helicopter just a day prior, narrowly escaped the disaster.
The helicopter, operated by Heritage Aviation, took off from the helipad at Oxford Golf Club around 7:40 AM, but experienced catastrophic failure shortly thereafter. “The chopper was booked for our election campaign by the party. Yesterday, I travelled on the same chopper… I was supposed to go to Raigad. Unfortunately, this incident happened,” Tatkare revealed, expressing his deep sadness over the tragedy.
Preliminary reports indicate that the helicopter’s engine may have blown, leading to a severe explosion that engulfed the aircraft in flames. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter crash near the hills in the Bawdhan area, prompting immediate response from local police and fire services. “Three persons died in the helicopter accident. Our teams and fire brigade vehicles reached the spot,” confirmed Vinayakumar Choubey, the Pimpri Chinchwad Superintendent of Police.
Fire Officer Anil Dimle stated that firefighters quickly extinguished the flames, and search efforts were underway to ensure no further victims were trapped in the wreckage. While the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation, authorities suspect that adverse weather conditions and low visibility may have played a significant role in the accident.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has acknowledged the incident, identifying the helicopter as an Agusta model. Investigators will be delving deeper into the circumstances surrounding the crash to ascertain its root cause.
Sunil Tatkare expressed his sorrow over the loss of life, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the incident. The team took the helicopter, and I went to Parli in Beed district the same day.” The NCP leader’s close brush with tragedy has drawn attention to the need for rigorous safety protocols in air travel, especially as political figures often rely on helicopter transport for their campaigns.
As the investigation unfolds, the families of the victims are left to mourn their loss, while the political community reflects on the fragility of life and the unpredictability of such tragic events.
