Copter Hard-Landing In Kedarnath Raises Scare

Focus On Safety Aspects Of High-Altitude Flights

Mumbai: A serious incident involving a recent helicopter hard landing at Kedarnath helipad has drawn focus on the safety aspects of these high-altitude, high-demand flights.

A video of the May 29 incident showed a helicopter bounce on touchdown to swerve uncontrollably. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation thereafter issued an advisory asking pilots to return to base if the tailwind component is beyond the permissible limit. Industry sources said the helicopter pilots operate these flights under severe stress and that advisory is unlikely to be entirely followed.