NAVI MUMBAI: A helicopter hired to take Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Sushma Andhare and her brother to Baramati crashed at Mahad on Friday. The chopper’s pilot and his assistant are safe.
Andhare witnessed the crash which happened while they were waiting for it to land at Bashirbhai Chinchkar ground, Raigad district. It was flying from Pune to take Andhare to Baramati for a poll meeting.
Capt Uday Gelli, chief, Rotary Wing Society of India, western region, said election flying involves landing in rural, temporary helipads. “The question is whether the helicopter operator sprayed the ground with water, as per SOPs, to prevent dust clouds when the aircraft lands.”
The Pune-based Mahalaxmi Aviation helicopter was hired by the party for Andhare’s visit. She arrived in Mahad by road with her brother on Thursday for an election meeting at Shivaji Chowk area, Mahad. Around 2,000 people attended the meeting held in support of Raigad Lok Sabha seat candidate Anant Geete.
Sena UBT spokesman Dhananjay Deshmukh said, “PWD did not prepare the ground properly for safe landing of the helicopter.”
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