On August 31, 2024, a routine recovery operation turned into a dramatic event in Uttarakhand when an Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 helicopter, tasked with airlifting a faulty private helicopter from Kedarnath to the Gauchar airstrip, encountered severe difficulties mid-flight. The helicopter, which had earlier made an emergency landing near the Kedarnath helipad due to technical issues, was being carried beneath the MI-17.
However, as the flight progressed, the MI-17 began to struggle with the weight of the helicopter and challenging wind conditions. To prevent a more catastrophic outcome, the IAF crew made a quick decision to release the helicopter over a remote valley. The unoccupied aircraft plummeted and crashed near the Mandakini River in the Lincholi area.
Thankfully, there were no casualties, and rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were swiftly dispatched to the scene. This incident, captured on video, underscores the perilous nature of airlift operations in the treacherous terrains of the Kedarnath region.
