An Advanced Light Helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) had to make a precautionary landing in a waterlogged area during flood relief operations in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, the IAF said on Wednesday.
The chopper had three personnel onboard, including two pilots who are safe. According to initial reports, the helicopter fell over Ward 13 of Naya Gaon in Aurai district of Muzaffarpur.
The IAF helicopter made an emergency landing after it developed a snag, officials said on Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Kumar said the helicopter was coming from adjoining Darbhanga after air-dropping relief materials to flood-hit people.
"The helicopter made an emergency landing in a waterlogged area in Aurai block. All the occupants were IAF personnel and they were pulled out by locals by the time officials reached the spot," the SSP said.
District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen said, "All four occupants appear safe and unharmed. However, as a precaution, they are being taken to a local hospital for check-up and treatment, if required."
Earlier today, a helicopter bound for Mumbai crashed in Pune's Bavdhan. The helicopter met with the accident shortly after taking off from the Oxford Golf Club helipad on Wednesday morning.
The helicopter, owned by Heritage Aviation, was heading towards Juhu in Mumbai. Three occupants of the helicopter — two pilots and an engineer — died in the crash that occurred at 6:45 AM near Bavdhan Budruk village.
Lok Sabha member and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state president Sunil Tatkare said he was supposed to travel from Mumbai to Raigad on Wednesday in the same helicopter, which was hired by his party.