Overview of the Accident
On February 24, 2026, a Pawan Hans Dauphin N3 helicopter (VT-PHY) made an emergency water landing in the Andaman Sea, approximately 300 metres short of the Mayabunder helipad.
The incident has sparked urgent debate over aviation safety in India’s remote island territories.
What Happened?
The helicopter was performing a scheduled inter-island flight, departing from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) at 8:30 AM.
- The Route: Port Blair → Rangat → Mayabunder.
- The Incident: At 9:10 AM, the chopper took off from Rangat. At approximately 9:30 AM, it experienced a technical snag and was forced to perform a “controlled ditching” into shallow sea water.
- The Outcome: All seven people on board—five passengers (including a child) and two pilots—were safely rescued.
Miraculous Rescue Operations
The rescue was a high-risk team effort. Local forest labourers in their dinghy were among the first on the scene, followed quickly by the Police Marine Force and the Indian Coast Guard. All survivors were transported to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder for observation, though no major injuries were reported.
Why Is This Under the Spotlight?
This event is particularly concerning for three reasons:
- Safety Record: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the
- (AAIB) have launched a formal inquiry into the technical malfunction.
- Timing: This was India’s third charter aircraft accident in early 2026, occurring just hours after a fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand.
- Infrastructure Reliance: In territories like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where Pawan Hans provides critical connectivity for locals and tourists, any equipment failure raises significant concerns about the age and maintenance of the fleet.
Current Status of Helicopter Services
- Regulatory Grounding & Audits: In direct response to this incident and others, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced intensive safety audits for all non-scheduled operators. While a blanket grounding of the entire Pawan Hans fleet in the islands has not been officially mandated, individual aircraft are undergoing rigorous technical checks.
- Impact on Inter-Island Connectivity: The loss of the Dauphin N3 (VT-PHY) has temporarily reduced the available fleet for critical routes, including Port Blair to Havelock and Campbell Bay.
- Flight Priority: Current operations are prioritizing Medical Evacuations (Medevac) and essential government logistics over routine tourist charters until the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are released.
Ongoing Investigation & Recovery
- Technical Malfunction: Early reports suggest a “technical snag” during the final approach to Mayabunder, which prevented the pilots from maintaining lift, forcing the emergency ditching.
- Salvage Operations: Discussions are currently underway between the A&N Administration and Pawan Hans to salvage the helicopter from the shallow waters near Mayabunder for detailed forensic analysis.
- Medical Updates: Most survivors have been discharged from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Hospital. One passenger, Rajita Devi, was airlifted to GB Pant Hospital in Port Blair for further observation following a minor head injury, but she is reported to be in stable condition.
Looking Ahead
The administration is facing mounting pressure to modernize the aging helicopter fleet. There are active discussions regarding the entry of new players, such as Andaman Airways, which recently received an NOC to operate scheduled commuter services in the region.
