A helicopter ‘Robinson R44 Astro’ belongiong to Aman Aviation company has reportedly crashed in Filter Pada area of Aarey Colony, Goregaon in Mumbai. One pilot died, three have been injured into the incident. The pilot reported a mechanical problem, most probably in the clutch assembly to Air Traffic Control, before the chopper crashed.
The incident was reported around 12.15 pm near Royal Palms and is not a densely populated area, following which the local police and fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The injured, which include two passengers and two crew members, have been admitted to Seven Hills Hospital. Two of four injured were the pilots Captains P K Mishra and Captain Devendra Singh. Captain P K Mishra was declared dead in hospital. Other 3 injured identified as Ritesh Modi age 35, and Sanjeev Shankar age 24 and Vrinda Modi age 34 admitted in ICU.
The helicopter had taken off from Juhu airport for a joy ride. The helicopter was a Robinson R44 Astro model. This is the 4-seat light helicopter, VT-PHB registered to Aman Aviation and Aerospace Solns Pvt Ltd. The 1992 model was originally owned by Pawan Hans, but was later sold to Aman Aviation company which used it for providing joy rides after it underwent repairs.