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A Chhattisgarh government-owned helicopter crashed Thursday night at Swami Vivekanand Airport in Raipur, killing both pilots.
According to an official government statement, the incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. and a technical malfunction appears to be the cause of the accident. The Augusta helicopter crashed at the end of an airport runway while conducting a routine training sortie, officials said.
It carried Captain Gopal Krishna Panda and Captain AP Shrivastava. While Captain Shrivastava died at the scene, Captain Panda succumbed to his injuries en route to hospital, officials said.
“A detailed technical investigation at the request of the DGCA and the state government will be undertaken to determine the exact cause of the accident,” the government said in a statement.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed deep anguish over the loss of life and ordered officials to provide immediate assistance to bereaved families.
Baghel tweeted: “Just had sad news regarding a State Helicopter which crashed at Raipur Airport. In this tragic accident our two pilots Captain Panda and Captain Shrivastava died May God give strength to their family members and peace to the soul of the deceased.
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