– Subhalaxmi Dash
Bhubaneswar: The most efficient way to go anywhere quickly is via air. Traveling by air and helicopter is quicker than traveling by train, ship, or automobile. However, the likelihood of survival decreases when an aircraft in the sky has an accident. There is still hope for the other three even though they were in car accidents. We have learned about numerous plane crashes in recent years. Weather-related or mechanical issues are the primary causes of plane crashes. However, with prudence, both accidents can be prevented. Moreover, air quality and aircraft fitness must be closely watched to do this.
In the last few days, numerous people have perished in helicopter crashes. Ibrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, has also ended up as a passenger in one of these incidents. Nine individuals died in a helicopter crash on the 19th near the border between Iran and Azerbaijan. Hussain Amir Abdullaine, the foreign minister, and President Ibrahim Raisi’s bodies have been found and recovered. The passing of President Ibrahim, 63, a well-known and influential leader in the Middle East, has abruptly altered the political landscape in both Iran and the Middle East. His death shocked the Middle East at once. Russia is among the nations that have pledged to assist with the disaster investigation, even though the precise cause of the presidential helicopter crash is still unknown.
When it comes to helicopter crashes, the first person who comes to mind is the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Rajasekhar Reddy. On September 2, 2009, the Andhra Pradesh government’s Bell 430 crashed at Rudrakonda Hill. The aircraft took off from Hyderabad Begumpet Airport, and because of bad weather, the crew thought they should move the aircraft slightly to the left of the planned route. However, at 9 am on the day of the incident, Begumpet Shamsabad air traffic control lost contact, and Bell 430 got crashed.Taking a closer look in Western Odisha in the same concern, on the evening of May 12, 2022, a government helicopter crashed during landing at Raipur Airport in Chhattisgarh. In the crash, two pilots perished, among them Captain Gopalakrishna Panda, son of Odisha along with Captain AP Srivastava. The disaster was caused by a technical fault, as found in the investigation. In the Sambalpur district’s Baham village, Gopalakrishna Panda is the father of two kids. The male is younger, while the girl is older. He and his family resided in Raipur. When Captain Panda visited Surajpur, he always traveled by helicopter. Thus, an orthodox pilot from Odisha dies.
When it comes to the airways and crashes of aircraft, how should we not talk about the Indian Armed Forces? In India, there have been 15 military helicopter crashes between March 2017 and 2021. Thirteen fatalities and twenty injuries were reported from these incidents. The Lok Sabha has received information regarding this from the government. Fifteen helicopters, namely Cheetah, Chetak, and MI-17, went down with their legends. This includes the Army’s Mi-17 V-5 helicopter, which crashed on December 8, 2021, near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. Four Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), four Cheetahs, two Weapons Integrated AHLs, three Mi-17 V-5s, one Mi-17, and one Chetak are among the crashed helicopters. In response to a query about the helicopter accident in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Ajay Bhatt provided this information.
Thus, plane crashes are sobering reminders of the fragility of human life and the imperative for continual advancements in aviation safety. They not only evoke profound sorrow for the lives lost but also prompt critical reflection on the systemic factors contributing to such tragedies. Recent incidents involving political leaders, whose missions often symbolize aspirations for progress and unity, underscore the indiscriminate nature of aviation disasters. As investigations unfold and safety protocols evolve, it remains imperative to honor the memories of those lost by steadfastly pursuing measures to prevent future catastrophes. In doing so, we honor their legacies and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the lives of all who take to the skies.
Subhalaxmi Dash,
MA English with Communication Studies, Christ University, Bengaluru Yeshwanthpur Campus.