Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' chopper debris moved to Mumbai for investigation

The debris of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' helicopter, which crash-landed in Latur last week, has been moved to Mumbai as a part of investigation into the mishap, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Fadnavis, along with five others including two crew members, escaped unhurt on May 25 when his helicopter, while taking-off, got entangled in overhead wires and crash-landed in Nilanga, around 45 kms away from Latur. The chief minister was on way to Mumbai after holding a programme with farmers in Nilanga when the mishap occurred. Later, a probe into the incident was initiated by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which comes under the civil aviation ministry. The investigating officers last night shifted the helicopter's debris from the mishap site to Mumbai, Latur Collector G Shreekant told PTI on Tuesday.

"Officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AIB yesterday informed us that they were ready to shift the debris," Shreekant said. "They had brought a multi-axel trailer to carry it to Juhu in Mumbai for further investigation," he said. The helicopter carrying the debris left Latur for Juhu in Mumbai last night, he said. On the temporary helipad that was prepared for the CM's visit, the collector said there was no compromise in safety at any level.

A few people on the ground were injured when the chopper had crash-landed and their tin-shed house suffered damage. Shreekant said they were treated at a government hospital and temporary shelter was provided to them by Nilanga municipal council. They will also get compensation and their house will be reconstructed by the government, he said. To a query, the collector said, "The panchnama is completed and they will get compensation from government insurance agencies. I am not aware when and how much money would be disbursed."