Operators believe Sunday’s incidence will temporarily affect helicopter tourism in the country
Sunday’s accident involving a helicopter that crashed during a joyride, killing the pilot and critically injuring three others, may temporarily affect the helicopter tourism, claim the joy ride operators and experts from the industry.
According to Captain Uday Gelli, CEO at Heligo Charters Private Ltd and president (west region) of Rotary Wings Society of India (RWSI) — a trade association — the accident will have some impact on the joyride business initially. “People will have some apprehension for next few days as the incident is very new, and will therefore remain in their minds for some time. However, things will become better again with the passage of time and tourists will come back.”
The accident happened when the pilot of the aircraft detected a technical glitch. He reportedly told the air traffic controller that there was some problem with the auto rotation system of the aircraft, and therefore needed to land urgently in an open area. In layman’s understanding that means that even if the pilot tries to control the engine, he does not have control over the rotation of the rotor, claim insiders. Prima facie, it appears that the pilot wanted to land at Film City in Goregaon, but he was unsuccessful. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB), which reports to Ministry of Civil Aviation, is probing the case.
The aircraft was operated by Juhu-based Aman Aviation, which has been in joyride business for the past couple of years. The cell phone number of RN Johri, MD of Aman Aviation, remained switched off during the evening.
Captain Archit Gupta, CEO of Delhi-based Atom Aviation Services Pvt Ltd, agrees: “It rarely happens that a joyride aircraft meets with an accident; but yes, this will have some temporary effect. It is perfectly normal for the people to get scared for a few days or weeks.”
As a concept, heli-tourism has been gaining popularity in the past few years with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) as well as IRCTC pushing short joyrides for tourists as part of their tourism promotion plans. Not only Pawan Hans but also private aviation companies have been enrolled for it. MTDC had earlier started sea plane services across different water bodies of the state with operations managed from Juhu airport. This is apart from private operators independently offering joyrides during festivals like Ganesh Utsav or on special occasions like Valentine’s Day, marriage anniversaries, etc.
Travel industry experts too echoed the feelings of charter operators. Iqbal Mulla, chairman of consultancy group Global Tourism Council, says, “One or two odd incidents will never cause any dent to the joyride business. Accidents happen even with cars, but people don’t stop travelling in them.”
CRASHING DOWN
Dec 11, 2016
Two died and two injured in a helicopter crash at Filter Pada area, Aarey Colony in Mumbai.
Nov 23, 2015
Six died after helicopter carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine crashed near Katra.
Nov 4, 2015
A Dauphincopter of PawanHans crashed off Mumbai coast after a mid air blast. Six persons died.
July 25, 2014
Seven died in an ALH Dhruv of the Air Force that crashed near Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh.
April 21, 2011
Four army personnel died when an AHL crashed at the Indo-China border in Sikkim’s Lauchung area.
Dec 14, 2010
IAF’s Mi-26 helicopter crashes in Jammu, all the 8 defence personnel escaped with minor injuries
Nov 19, 2010
12 were killed in an MI-17 crash in Tawang
Compiled by DNA-Research N Archives
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