Reddy's chopper had developed tech fault while flying Dalai

The helicopter which crashed last week killing YSR Reddy and four others on board had developed a technical fault while flying Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama early this year.

The helicopter which crashed last week killing YSR Reddy and four others on board had developed a technical fault while flying Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama early this year.

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"While flying from Hyderabad to Gulbarge in Karnataka for a religious programme in the same Bell-430 chopper in January this year, the Dalai Lama was told by the pilot during flight that helicopter was experiencing technical problem," Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile, said.

But, luckily the pilot managed to land the chopper safely at the destination, he added.

Rinpoche said the officials of the Tibetan-government-in-exile had sought a helicopter for the Dalai Lama from a Chennai-based aviation company for journey to Gulbarga, but Chief Minister Reddy had offered the state-owned helicopter.

On his return journey, the 73-year-old Nobel laureate did not travel in the helicopter and took another chopper, he said.

Rinpoche expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Reddy on September 2 after the same chopper crashed over Nallamala while flying to Chittor from Hyderabad.