Overview
- The helicopter, which missed the marked helipad Saturday, touched down about 1.3 km away in a car parking area in Khanwadi, Purandar.
- No injuries were reported, and police guided the crew to move the aircraft to the proper helipad, after which Minister Chhagan Bhujbal attended the event.
- Pune rural police said they will file a report with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and indicated the pilot could face action pending inquiry.
- Officials said the helipad’s coordinates had been shared with the crew, and some outlets reported a dust “brownout” that can hide ground markings as a possible factor.
- The episode drew added attention because it follows the January 28 Baramati crash that killed deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and highlighted issues such as low-visibility landings and weak navigation aids.