Neelam Mathews

The crash of a chartered Bell 212 helicopter on Sunday in the outskirts of Mumbai that killed five will likely force India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to scrutinize procedures related to preserving wreckage and the altitudes at which helicopters fly.


While ICAO guidelines specify that debris should not be removed from the accident site, the local police did just that. “Rules specify that the first person to take control of the accident site is a DGCA official. Only under his supervision can a postmortem be made. Besides, if debris is indiscriminately removed, what kind of investigation can be conducted?” independent aviation consultant Shakti Lumba told AIN. “The role of the police during aviation accidents is not clear and it should be incorporated as a chapter in police manuals. The DGCA sent a circular 10 years ago to the ministry of home affairs. Nobody knows where that went.”


Meanwhile, a regulation yet to be implemented by the DGCA relates to raising the altitude at which helicopters fly after taking off from Mumbai. Currently, helicopters operating within 30 nm of Mumbai must fly no higher than 500 feet agl, which operators consider too low given the numerous high-rise buildings and high-tension cables throughout the city. “There is no end to [requirements to add expensive] gadgets. What we need are procedures,” helicopter pilot Nasir Hanfee told AIN.

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Helicopter Crash Raises Issues for India’s Regulator

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David Jack Kenny

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Preliminary and final accident reports, June 2025

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: June 2025

Amy Wilder

Sound Talent Group confirmed three employee fatalities

Music Agent Shapiro among Six Killed in Citation Crash

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Air Force intercept confirmed no cockpit or cabin activity before crash

Known Oxygen System Deficiency Preceded Fatal Crash

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Flight continued under VFR despite known radio altimeter issue

VFR into IMC, Poor Preflight, and ADM Led to Helo Crash

Kerry Lynch

 Woman succumbs to injuries three months after accident

Philadelphia Learjet Crash Claims Eighth Victim

No injuries reported after the air ambulance accident

NTSB Cites Faulty T-bolt Install in Tail Rotor Failure

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Accidents

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: June 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, June 2025

Music Agent Shapiro among Six Killed in Citation Crash

Sound Talent Group confirmed three employee fatalities

Known Oxygen System Deficiency Preceded Fatal Crash

Air Force intercept confirmed no cockpit or cabin activity before crash

VFR into IMC, Poor Preflight, and ADM Led to Helo Crash

Flight continued under VFR despite known radio altimeter issue

Philadelphia Learjet Crash Claims Eighth Victim

Woman succumbs to injuries three months after accident

NTSB Cites Faulty T-bolt Install in Tail Rotor Failure

No injuries reported after the air ambulance accident

AINsight: It’s Time To Put Video Recorders in Cockpits

More data is needed, and there’s only one way to get it

Business Aircraft Accident Reports: May 2025

Preliminary and final accident reports, May 2025

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN