MUMBAI: A helicopter ‘Robinson R44 Astro’ belonging to Aman Aviation company has reportedly crashed in Filter Pada area of Aarey Colony, Goregaon in Mumbai on Sunday.
One pilot and a woman reportedly lost their lives, while two others suffered injuries in the incident. The pilot reported a mechanical problem, most probably in the clutch assembly to Air Traffic Control, before the chopper crashed.
The incident was reported at around 12.15 pm near Royal Palms, a not densely populated area, following which the local police and fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
The injured, which include two passengers and two crew members, have been admitted to Seven Hills Hospital at Marol. Two of four injured were the pilots Captains P K Mishra and Captain Devendra Singh.
Captain P K Mishra and woman Vrinda Modi were declared dead. However, the hospital sources have not confirmed it. The injured - Ritesh Modi (35), and Sanjeev Shankar (24) are admitted to the ICU.
The helicopter had taken off from Juhu airport for a joy ride. The helicopter was a Robinson R44 Astro model. This is the 4-seat light helicopter, VT-PHB registered to Aman Aviation and Aerospace Solns Pvt Ltd. The 1992 model was originally owned by Pawan Hans, but was later sold to Aman Aviation company which used it for providing joy rides after it underwent repairs.