Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India: A Pawan Hans Ltd helicopter carrying seven people, including two crew members, crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the North and Middle Andaman district on Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026. All seven occupants were rescued safely, officials confirmed.
The aircraft, operating inter-island services for the central public sector undertaking, went down in the Indian Ocean shortly before its scheduled landing at Mayabunder around 9:30 a.m. local time.
Local rescue teams and maritime responders reached the site promptly after the helicopter entered the water. All five passengers and both crew members were recovered from mid-sea and taken to Dr Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder for medical evaluation and treatment.
Hospital sources confirmed that four of the passengers, Rajita Devi, her infant Kamal Ch. Das, Sipra Saha, and Nambi Amma remain under observation and receiving care. Authorities said the two pilots and the remaining passenger were stable, with no life-threatening injuries reported so far.
According to officials, the flight had taken off from Sri Vijaya Puram at approximately 8:45 a.m. for Mayabunder, following a previous leg from Port Blair. The helicopter was scheduled to land around 9:30 a.m., but encountered serious trouble shortly before touchdown.
A preliminary inquiry by civil aviation authorities indicated the aircraft experienced a technical malfunction prompting the pilot to execute a controlled emergency landing approximately 300 metres short of the runway.
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Indian Coast Guard have initiated an investigation into the incident. Statements from the pilot and crew are expected to form part of the inquiry once medical assessments are complete.
A spokesperson for Pawan Hans Ltd described the mishap as a “short landing incident” near Mayabunder and confirmed that all occupants were accounted for and evacuated safely. The company reaffirmed that all necessary safety protocols were followed during the emergency response.
A senior civil aviation official reiterated that initial findings point to a suspected technical issue aboard the helicopter, and that investigators are working to determine the exact cause.
