Bangalore:
A trainer helicopter of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today made an unusual emergency landing - on the roof of a high-rise building in the middle of Bangalore.
The white helicopter landed on the top of a building, Maitri Apartments in the Byapanahalli area in North East Bangalore at 4:30 pm. The police said both the pilots were unhurt. They were taken to hospital for a check up and for confirmation that all was well
Investigations are on to ascertain why the pilots landed the chopper on the apartment roof instead of a regular airstrip; the busy residential area is close to the old Bangalore airport which is now used by HAL. The helicopter had taken off from there.
Aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident and has rushed a team to the spot. The DGCA said as of now all they know is that there was a technical glitch in the chopper while in the air, forcing it make the emergency landing.
The police said there was minor damage to tthe rotor blades of the helicopter.
Curious residents had crowded the rooftops of adjoining buildings and were out on the streets, shocked to see a helicopter on the roof of a residential building. There was heavy police presence as well.
The chopper is likely to stay on the roof overnight; the concern remains how it would be taken off.