Three Indian Army officers, including a senior commander, escaped with minor injuries after a Cheetah helicopter crash-landed in the high-altitude Tangtse sector of eastern Ladakh near Leh.
The incident took place on May 20 during an operational flight in the rugged mountainous terrain of Ladakh, one of the most challenging flying environments in the world. However, details of the mishap emerged only on Friday.
According to officials, the helicopter was carrying Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s 3 Infantry Division, while a Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were piloting the aircraft. All three occupants survived the crash and were able to walk away with only minor injuries.
The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash. Preliminary assessments are underway, though the exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
The Cheetah helicopter, a lightweight utility aircraft, has long been regarded as the backbone of India’s high-altitude aviation operations. Capable of operating at some of the world’s highest landing grounds and remote forward posts, the helicopter has played a critical role in troop transportation, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance missions and logistics support in areas such as Ladakh, Siachen Glacier and the Northeast.
Derived from the French-designed Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama and manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Cheetah entered service decades ago and earned a reputation for reliability under extreme weather and terrain conditions. Despite its proven operational record, the ageing fleet has increasingly faced maintenance and serviceability challenges, prompting efforts to replace it with newer-generation helicopters.
