Miracle at Sea: All 7 Rescued in Andaman Helicopter Crash

New Delhi, February 24, 2026: In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday morning, all seven people on board a Pawan Hans helicopter were miraculously rescued after the aircraft ditched into the sea near Mayabunder. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 AM, triggered a swift emergency response from local authorities and the Indian Coast Guard, preventing what could have been a major tragedy.

The Incident: A Race Against Time

The helicopter, operated by the state-owned Pawan Hans Ltd, was performing a routine inter-island service. It departed from Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) at approximately 8:45 AM, heading toward the northern districts.

According to officials, the aircraft was on its final approach to the Mayabunder airstrip when it encountered a suspected technical snag. Forced to make a split-second decision, the pilot executed a controlled “ditching” (emergency water landing) roughly 300 meters short of the runway.

Survivors and Rescue Efforts

The aircraft was carrying five passengers and two crew members at the time of the crash. The passengers have been identified as:

• Rajita Devi and her infant, Kamal Ch. Das
• Sipra Saha
• Nambi Amma
• (Additional male passenger)

Following the impact, rescue teams including the Indian Coast Guard and local emergency services reached the site within minutes. All seven occupants were successfully pulled from the water and transported to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder for observation.

“All seven people on board, including the pilot, are safe. We are currently ensuring they receive necessary medical care, and efforts are underway to move them back to Sri Vijaya Puram for further assessment,” stated Nitesh Rawat, Director of Civil Aviation.

Safety Scrutiny and Investigation

The incident has raised immediate concerns regarding aviation safety in the region, particularly as it follows a fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand just 24 hours prior.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a formal inquiry into the crash. While the pilot’s skillful maneuver in landing on water is being credited for saving lives, investigators will focus on the maintenance history of the aircraft and the specific nature of the technical failure.

Key Facts of the Incident:

• Time of Crash: 09:30 AM (approx.)
• Location: 300 meters from Mayabunder runway.
• Carrier: Pawan Hans (inter-island service).
• Casualties: None; all seven rescued.

Connecting the Islands

Pawan Hans serves as a lifeline for the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, providing essential connectivity to remote islands where fixed-wing aircraft cannot operate. While this incident ended safely, it underscores the challenges of operating in maritime environments and the critical importance of rigorous maintenance protocols for island transport.