A potential disaster was narrowly avoided in Uttarakhand, India when a helicopter carrying passengers to a Buddhist temple in the Himalayas lost control while attempting to land. The helicopter spun out of control but the pilot managed to make an emergency landing on mountainous terrain about 100 meters from the runway.
The pilot and six passengers emerged unscathed, with only minor damage reported to the helicopter’s tail. Security footage showed passengers and officials fleeing as the helicopter spun. Rudraprayag regional officer Saurabh Gaharwar stated that a technical problem with the engine was identified, praising the pilot’s quick thinking for averting a major accident. An investigation into the incident has been initiated.