Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has identified multiple safety lapses in the Pawan Hans helicopter crash in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which occurred on February 24, resulted in the death of one passenger and serious injuries to 4 others, highlighting critical failures in emergency preparedness and operational procedures. The findings were detailed in a preliminary report released on April 4, 2026.
The accident involved a helicopter operated by Pawan Hans, which crashed into the sea during the final phase of its flight. According to the report, the aircraft was on approach when it developed a high rate of descent, indicating an unstable approach profile. The helicopter subsequently impacted the water and overturned, significantly affecting survivability.
A key finding of the investigation was that the emergency flotation system was not armed, with the switch found in the “OFF” position. As a result, the floats failed to deploy upon impact, which is critical for keeping the helicopter upright during a water landing. The AAIB noted that this lapse likely contributed to the aircraft overturning after hitting the sea.
The report also revealed that passengers onboard were using only lap belts, while shoulder harnesses were not in use. Proper use of shoulder harnesses is essential to limit upper body movement during impact and improve chances of survival. The absence of full restraint usage raised serious concerns about compliance with established safety procedures.
Additionally, the helicopter was found to be descending at a higher-than-normal rate during the final approach, suggesting deviation from standard stabilized approach criteria. Such conditions reduce the margin for recovery and increase the risk of impact, particularly in offshore operations.
Both the crew members managed to bring all the passengers out and they were shifted to a local hospital at Mayabunder by boats. Three passengers (including the infant) and the crew members were shifted to a hospital as per preliminary report.
“There was one fatality of a passenger on the 3rd day after the accident, while the other 2 passengers admitted at a hospital at Sri Vijaya Puram were discharged on March 12,” it said.
The AAIB’s findings point to gaps in adherence to standard operating procedures, including pre-landing safety checks, passenger briefing compliance, and approach monitoring.
