Ladakh Helicopter Crash
New Delhi: A Cheetah light helicopter operated by the Indian Army crashed in the Ladakh sector on May 20, leaving three senior personnel injured, including Major General Sachin Mehta. The incident was confirmed by Army officials on Saturday.
The helicopter was carrying a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, and Major General Mehta, who serves as the General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division. All three officers sustained injuries in the crash but were quickly evacuated for medical treatment. The Officials said their condition is now stable.
According to the Army sources, the single-engine Cheetah helicopter was being flown by the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major at the time of the accident. The aircraft was on a routine operational mission in the high-altitude Ladakh region when the crash occurred.
The Indian Army has ordered a formal Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident. Further details about the circumstances are still being examined.
The crash has once again drawn attention to the ageing Cheetah fleet used extensively by the Indian Army for operations in difficult terrain. The helicopters, in service since the 1970s, have been involved in multiple accidents over the years.
Despite safety concerns, the Cheetah remains widely used due to its strong performance in high-altitude conditions, including critical operations like Operation Meghdoot in Siachen.
The Indian Army has already begun replacing the ageing fleet with indigenous Light Utility Helicopters developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The transition aims to improve safety and modernise high-altitude aviation capabilities.
Authorities are expected to review operational protocols further as part of the ongoing investigation into the Ladakh crash.
