3 Army officers survive Cheetah helicopter crash in Leh

Three Indian Army officials suffered injuries after their Cheetah Helicopter crashed near Tangtse, south east of Leh. The accident occurred on May 20, and officials confirmed the incident on Saturday.

All three officers, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Division (also known as Trishul Division), narrowly escaped with minor injuries as the single-engine chopper came down crashing.

An army officer said that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.  A selfie clicked by Major General Sachin Mehta soon after the incident has gone viral on social media.

A Lieutenant Colonel and a Major were flying the single-engine helicopter, while Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the 3rd Infantry Division, was travelling onboard as a passenger.

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Over the next decade, these helicopters will be gradually replaced by the modern Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) under the Army Aviation Corps’ modernisation programme.

Inducted in 1971 after setting remarkable high-altitude records, the Cheetah helicopter has been the backbone of operations in the Himalayas for decades. It has played multiple roles — from a flying jeep and postal carrier to an artillery spotter and reconnaissance platform — while also serving as a vital air ambulance in the high Himalayas.