Uttarakhand crash probe says helicopter tumbled down hill after rotor blade hit overhead cable

The 17-year-old Bell 407 chopper operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, with six passengers connected board, crashed 24 minutes aft being airborne connected May 8

The clang astatine Uttarkashi. PTI file

A preliminary probe into the chopper clang that killed six radical successful Uttarakhand successful May has recovered that the main rotor leaf of the chopper struck an overhead fibre cable, earlier tumbling down the hillside and coming to remainder against a tree.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said connected Saturday that the probe squad is moving connected the further people of enactment to find the basal origin of the accident.

The 17-year-old Bell 407 chopper operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, with six passengers connected board, crashed 24 minutes aft being airborne connected May 8.

The aviator and 5 passengers died successful the accident, portion 1 rider sustained superior injuries.

AAIB said that the helicopter, which was airborne from Kharsali helipad astatine 8.11 americium connected May 8, was destroyed successful the clang but determination was nary fire. The mishap happened astatine Gangnani successful Uttarkashi astatine 8.35 am.

In its five-page report, AAIB said the chopper flew for 20 minutes earlier descending from its assigned altitude.

"Initially, the aviator attempted to onshore connected the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road (NH 34) adjacent Gangnani successful Uttarkashi. During the landing attempt, the helicopter's main rotor leaf struck an overhead fibre cablegram moving parallel to the road.

"It besides damaged immoderate roadside metallic barricades. However, the chopper was incapable to onshore and tumbled down the hillside. Eventually, it came to remainder against a tree, astir 250 feet heavy successful a gorge," it said.

The helicopter, powered by Rolls Royce engine, was manufactured successful 2008.

The US National Transportation Safety Board and Canada's Transportation Safety Board person appointed accredited representatives and method advisors for the investigation.

"The probe squad is coordinating with them for further people of enactment required to find retired the basal cause(s)," the study said.