A Pawan Hans chopper with six passengers on board made a precautionary landing on a school ground at Kelwe Road, about 80 km north of Mumbai, owing to inclement weather on Saturday.
The passengers included senior officials of the Gas Authority of India Limited. The copter was heading from Baroda to Juhu Aerodrome, when the chopper pilot, Captain PJ Singh, encountered a huge cloud base that had come down to 200 feet.
As a standard safety protocol, the chopper landed in the school premises, which was closest open space to make a priority stopover, said officials.
A spokesperson with Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited (PHHL) confirmed the precautionary landing.
“The chopper made a precautionary safe landing owing to inclement weather. But it took off soon after the weather improved and has safely reached Juhu,” said the spokesperson.
Upesh Raut, a member of the Waksai Gram Panchayat, spotted the chopper and alerted the Kelwa police, said locals.
The chopper was sent to Gujarat for routine gas pipeline inspections, officials added.
{{/usCountry}}The chopper was sent to Gujarat for routine gas pipeline inspections, officials added.
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