Storm forces Shinde chopper back to Mumbai

The chopper had taken off from Mahalaxmi Racecourse around 4pm and was scheduled to land in Thane before proceeding to Kalyan and Murbad, where Shinde was to attend weddings in the families of two Shiv Sena office bearers.However, as the helicopter approached Kalyan, the pilot encountered poor visibility, heavy gusts and unstable weather conditions near Airoli, following which the flight was aborted as a precautionary measure.

MUMBAI: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was forced to return to Mumbai on Wednesday after it encountered strong winds and a thunderstorm near Airoli while he was heading to Kalyan for a wedding function.

Storm forces Shinde chopper back to Mumbai

Apart from Shinde, three officials, two pilots and a crew member were on board the helicopter, which belonged to a private company empanelled by the state government for VVIP travel.

The chopper had taken off from Mahalaxmi Racecourse around 4pm and was scheduled to land in Thane before proceeding to Kalyan and Murbad, where Shinde was to attend weddings in the families of two Shiv Sena office bearers.However, as the helicopter approached Kalyan, the pilot encountered poor visibility, heavy gusts and unstable weather conditions near Airoli, following which the flight was aborted as a precautionary measure.

“The pilot assessed the deteriorating weather conditions and decided to not proceed further. He apprised the deputy chief minister and other passengers on board,” an official from Shinde’s office said.

The helicopter landed safely at Pawan Hans in Juhu within half an hour.