Three Indian Army officers sustained injuries after a Cheetah helicopter crashed in the mountainous Tangste region near Leh on May 20, in what officials are describing as a narrow escape in a high-altitude operational mishap. The incident, involving an ageing utility helicopter, has once again raised concerns about the safety of the Army’s legacy aviation fleet operating in extreme terrain.

According to officials, the helicopter was carrying a Lieutenant Colonel, a Major, and a Major General during the sortie. The Lieutenant Colonel and the Major were reportedly piloting the single-engine Cheetah helicopter, while Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division, was on board as a passenger at the time of the crash.

The aircraft went down in the difficult mountainous region of Ladakh, an area known for unpredictable weather and challenging flying conditions. All three officers survived the crash but suffered injuries. Officials confirmed that emergency response teams were mobilised immediately after the incident, and the injured personnel were evacuated for medical treatment.

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A photograph showing Major General Mehta with the two other officers after the crash has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention. The image, reportedly taken shortly after their rescue, has been described by many online users as a testament to their survival in extremely harsh conditions.

Army sources have described the survival of the officers as a “miracle,” given the operational complexity of flying in high-altitude regions like Ladakh and the age of the Cheetah helicopter fleet, which has been in service since the 1970s. The fleet has been involved in multiple past accidents, raising long-standing concerns about its operational safety.

An official court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, the Army continues to gradually phase out the Cheetah helicopters, replacing them with newer indigenous Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), designed specifically for high-altitude operations and improved safety performance.

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