Flying academy helicopter crashes in UP; pilot safe

A trainer helicopter belonging to the Indira Gandhi Flying Academy crashed shortly after take-off from Fursatganj in Rae Bareli district, about 85 km from Lucknow, late Tuesday afternoon.

Even as the helicopter turned turtle as it came down, the pilot had a miraculous escape as he did not suffer any major injury.

"Visibly, he had no wounds, but his incoherent behaviour gave the impression of his having suffered some internal head injury on account of which he was rushed to Lucknow medical university for expert advise," an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.

The pilot was identified as Sandeep Vashisht, a trainee at the flying academy. He was stated to be having a license for solo flying.

The chopper crash led to much chaos in and around Ichavaniya village, where the locals went rushing from all sides. Police had a tough time clearing the crowd.

Flying academy official were unwilling to make any comment. "An inquiry has been ordered into the incident, so we cannot say anything until the probe is completed," said an official over the telephone.

The academy was established by former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in the vicinity of Amethi, his parliamentary constituency.