Chhattisgarh chopper on training sortie crashes at Raipur airport; 2 pilots dead

A technical malfunction is said to be the cause of the helicopter accident at Raipur airport that killed the two pilots

Updated on: May 13, 2022, 02:47:32 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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A Chhattisgarh government helicopter on Thursday evening crashed at state capital Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda airport killing the two pilots, the state government said in a statement.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel condoled the death of the two pilots who died in the tragic crash at the state capital’s airport on Thursday evening

The chopper was on a routine training sortie when the incident took place at about 9.10pm, the government said.

Raipur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Prashant Agrawal said both pilots, Captain Gopal Krishna Panda and his co-pilot Captain AP Shrivastava died in the crash.

“Initial indications suggest technical malfunction as the cause of crash,” the government later said in a statement

“A detailed technical investigation at the behest of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and State Government shall be undertaken to ascertain the exact cause,” it added.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel condoled the death of the two pilots.

“Just got sad news about the state helicopter crashing at the airport in Raipur. In this tragic accident, both our pilots Captain Panda and Captain Srivastava passed away. May God give strength to their family members and peace to the departed souls,” the chief minister said in a tweet.

Government officials later said the crash will not disrupt flight operations and normal operations will continue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More