Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Nov 1: Some pilgrims on way to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, had a close shave when the chopper, carrying them, developed technical snag while taking off at the helipad in Katra town, here this afternoon.
The helicopter of Global Vectra Private Limited was about to take off for the Bhawan from Katra but due to some technical snag, it could not, said SSP Reasi, Tahir Sajad Bhat.
According to one of the passengers, who had a close shave in the incident, the chopper spinned and rotated for sometime at the helipad instead of taking off. “For a moment it seemed that the chopper had gone out of control of the Pilot and it was about to hit a nearby building thus creating a panic among all the passengers, who started screaming out of fear,” he told the Excelsior.
However, the Pilot soon managed to control the flying machine, which landed safely. Later, the passengers on board were flown to the Sanjhi Chhat in a chopper of Himalayan Heli Service, the other company providing air service to Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, while the flying machine of Global Vectra was grounded for ascertaining reason behind the technical snag.
Six passengers and a Pilot were on the board when the incident took place. Senior officers also rushed to the spot to assess the situation on ground while the matter has been brought into the notice of Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
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