Emergency Landing in Palghar: Training Helicopter Lands on School Playground
In a startling incident on Tuesday afternoon, a helicopter made an emergency landing on the playground of Vidyabhavan School in Saphale, located in Palghar district. The landing occurred after one of the pilots detected a technical glitch during the flight, prompting an immediate decision to seek a safe location. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the helicopter successfully flew back to Mumbai once the issue was resolved.
Details of the Helicopter and Crew
The helicopter was being used for training purposes by a private firm, with police sources confirming that a senior pilot was instructing a junior pilot at the time. On board were four crew members: two pilots, one engineer, and one staff member. The journey had commenced from Juhu in Mumbai, with the intended destination being Surat in Gujarat.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Landing
During the flight over the areas of Saphale and Kelwe, the crew noticed a technical snag. Faced with this unexpected issue, they opted to land at a secure spot rather than continue the journey. According to Assistant Police Inspector (API) Datta Shelke of the Saphale police station, the crew had no alternative but to choose the school playground for the emergency landing.
API Shelke stated: "We immediately sent a team to the spot the moment we came across this news. Later, we came to know that this was an emergency landing." He further explained that the pilot made the decision to land after observing the technical error, and the on-board engineer promptly addressed the snag.
Resolution and Departure
After the engineer successfully managed the technical problem, the helicopter departed from the school playground around 1:30 pm, heading back to Mumbai. The entire incident was handled efficiently, ensuring the safety of all involved and minimizing disruption to the local community.
This event highlights the importance of quick decision-making and technical expertise in aviation emergencies, particularly during training exercises. Authorities have confirmed that no further action is required, as the landing was deemed necessary and conducted without incident.
