A Pawan Hans helicopter with seven on board on Saturday went missing, confirmed the sources. The helicopter, VT PWA Dauphin, which took off from Juhu at 10.20 am, was scheduled to land at North Field of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) at 10.58 am. The wreckage of the helicopter has been spotted as well.
@IndiaCoastGuard 05 Ships & 02 Aircraft engaged in extensive SAR operation in area for missing crew/pilots of ill fated aircraft. 03 bodies recovered. One body is identified as of Mr. Garg, DGM, ONGC. @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @PIB_India
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) January 13, 2018
The last contact with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) was made at around 10.30 am, 30 nautical miles off Mumbai. The Indian Navy and coast guard have begun the search and rescue operations. The helicopter lost contact with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) 15 minutes after taking off. Soon after the helicopter went missing, coast guard and Indian Navy begun the rescue and search operations. The Navy said it had deployed its stealth frigate INS Teg for the search operation while surveillance aircraft P8i is also being press into service.
@indiannavy and @IndiaCoastGuard are extending all possible assistance in the #SAR Search and Rescue of @ONGC_ helicopter and pax on board. Wish for their safety. @DefenceMinIndia @dpradhanbjp
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) January 13, 2018
One Pawanhans Helicopter of ONGC flying from Juhu #Mumbai to ODA Offshore Development Area lost at Sea this morning. Total crew on board 05 besides two pilot. Large scale @IndiaCoastGuard SAR Operation underway. Debris located by CG Ship and one body recovered @DefenceMinIndia
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) January 13, 2018
The chopper, Dauphin N3, bearing registration number VT-PWA, took off from Juhu aerodrome at 10.25 AM, with five ONGC employees and two pilots onboard, they said. The chopper was scheduled to land at the designated oil rig at Mumbai High at 11 AM, the sources said