Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing at Palghar School Ground After Technical Fault

A training helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on a school ground in Palghar district on Tuesday afternoon after a technical problem was detected mid-flight, officials said. Fortunately, all four crew members on board — including a main pilot, trainee pilot, and technical engineer — were unharmed.

The helicopter, operated by a private company, was en route from Juhu in Mumbai to Surat in Gujarat when the pilot noticed a ‘red alert’ warning while flying between Safale and Kelva Road stations. Acting swiftly, the pilot opted to land in the open grounds of Vidya Vaibhav High School at approximately 12:30 pm, according to Assistant Police Inspector Datta Shelke of Safale Police Station.

Once on the ground, the on-board technical engineer assessed and rectified the fault. The helicopter remained at the school ground for about 40 minutes before taking off again at around 1:10 pm and safely returning to Juhu, officials said.

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Authorities confirmed that the landing area was secure and no students or staff were present at the time, preventing any casualties. A precautionary police team remained on-site throughout the emergency to ensure public safety.

Local residents and school authorities praised the crew for their calm and professional handling of the situation, noting that quick action prevented what could have been a serious accident in a populated area.

The incident underscores the importance of rigorous training and safety protocols in aviation, with officials emphasizing that regular checks and emergency preparedness are critical to preventing accidents. The Maharashtra Directorate of Civil Aviation is reportedly reviewing the event to assess protocols and ensure continued safety compliance.

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