Three Indian Army officers, including a Major General, survived after a Cheeta light utility helicopter crashed during an operational sortie near Tangtse, south east of Leh in the Ladakh sector .
The helicopter was carrying Division Commander Major General Sachin Mehta along with two pilots when the incident occurred. Officials confirmed that all three sustained injuries but are in stable condition. The pilots were admitted to a military hospital with minor injuries.
The single-engine helicopter, flown by a lieutenant colonel and a major, crashed on Wednesday, though the incident came to light on Saturday. All three occupants sustained minor injuries and managed to escape safely. An Army officer confirmed that a Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been ordered to investigate the cause of the crash.
The aircraft involved was a Cheetal variant, an upgraded version of the ageing Cheetah helicopter fleet, powered by a TM333B engine. The fleet, widely used in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh and Siachen, has long been a critical asset for reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, troop movement and logistical support in remote areas.
A photograph of Major General Mehta taken shortly after the crash has also circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention.
In response to the incident, the Indian Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
The Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, derived from the French-origin Aerospatiale Alouette III design, have been in service for several decades. While valued for their performance in extreme terrain and thin air conditions, the ageing fleet has increasingly raised safety and maintenance concerns.
The incident highlights the operational risks associated with the Indian Army’s ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleet, which is scheduled for phased retirement in the coming years. Under its modernisation programme, the Army plans to progressively replace these legacy platforms over the next decade with the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, as part of the Army Aviation Corps’ capability upgrade initiative.
(Maj Gen Sachin Mehta himself clicked the selfie after the helicopter crash)
