Two pilots killed as Army's Cheetah helicopter crashes in Arunachal Pradesh

Two pilots died in a Cheetah helicopter crash near Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday, a defence spokesperson said. Lt Col VVB Reddy and Maj Jayanth A, the pilot and his co-pilot did not survive the crash that occurred this morning, he added.

The Cheetah helicopter was flying an operational sortie near Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh, and is reported to have lost contact with the ATC at around 9:15 am today.

Five search parties of Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were immediately rushed to the spot. The wreckage of the aircraft was found near Banglajaap East village of Mandala.

“With regret we inform that the pilot and the co-pilot of the helicopter lost their lives in the accident,” the Army said.

A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.An Army Aviation helicopter crashed near Bomdi La in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.

The details about the crew are awaited. The Cheetah helicopter was flying an operational sortie near Bomdi La and is reported to have lost contact with the Air Traffic Control at around 9.15am. It is reported to have crashed near Mandala, west of Bomdi La.Search parties had been sent, the Army said.