A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people made an emergency landing in the sea near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred on February 24, 2026, around 9:30 AM. Authorities confirmed that all five passengers and two pilots onboard were rescued safely and taken for medical check-ups. The helicopter was on its way from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) when it had to land short of the runway.
Details of the Rescue Operation and Passengers
The helicopter landed in the water approximately 300 meters before the Mayabunder runway. The pilots, identified as Captain Anil Janu and Captain TPS Gulia, handled the situation during the technical snag. Local Marine Police and rescue teams acted swiftly to bring everyone to safety. No one suffered serious injuries during the crash landing.
The rescued passengers were admitted to Dr. RP Hospital in Mayabunder for observation. The passengers on board were identified as:
- Rajita Devi
- Shishu Kamal Chandra Das
- Shipra Saha
- Nambi Amma
Cause of Accident and Helicopter Service Updates
Officials have described the event as a “Short Landing Incident” caused by a technical fault. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered an investigation to find the exact reason behind the failure. This incident happened just a day after another air ambulance crash in Jharkhand, raising concerns about aviation safety.
The administration currently uses Dauphin N3 helicopters, which are based on 20-year-old technology. To ensure better safety for islanders and tourists, the administration has approved a plan to replace the old fleet with modern Sikorsky helicopters. The helicopter service is a lifeline for the islands, offering subsidized rates for locals.
- Locals (Islanders): Approx ₹3,375 (Sri Vijaya Puram to Mayabunder)
- Tourists: Approx ₹10,000 – ₹11,000
