Pakistan Rangers Helicopter Down Near Leiah - News Reports

[Abbas Ali]

June 1 - According to local news channels, a helicopter has crashed into river Indus near Layyah (Leiah).

Further details like cause of the accident, helicopter type/operator and number of occupants or casualities not available at the moment.

According to ARY News channel, the helicopter belonged to Pakistan Army and crashed near Bakhri Ahmed Khan, Kot Sultan. Their reporter says weather in area around the crash site was poor with strong winds and blowing dust causing poor visibility.

Pieces of helicopter wreckage are seen floating over river Indus, according to a news channel.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to latest reports

* The helicopter belonged to Pakistan Rangers - Punjab.

* The helicopter had taken off from Dera Ghazi Khan around 10:20AM and its was flying to Lahore or Multan or Peshawar. There's conflicting information about its destination.

* According to another channel, quoting Rangers spokesman, the helicopter was flying from Dera Ismail Khan to Peshawar when it changed its course to Multan due to bad weather.

* The helicopter was on a routine flight and its occupants included Director General Rangers Punjab Major General Muhammad Nawaz.

* Weather was bad with poor visibility in that area and other areas of South Punjab.

* The helicopter was flown by Lieutenant Colonel Aamir Abbas.

* The helicopter pilot contacted air traffic control and informed it about bad weather and change in flight route/path and said that they are now going to Multan. Contact was lost ten minutes later around 10:35AM.

* Apparently the helicopter was flying under callsign 'Ghazi 16' or 'Ravi 60'.

* The helicopter fire during flight.

* Witnesses report rotor blades of the helicopter floating over River Indus. The helicopter fuselage is under water.

* Five to six persons were aboard the helicopter including DG Rangers Punjab, two crew members, one or two Captains and a Colonel.

* Rescue teams including divers have been dispatched to crash site.

* A helicopter also has been dispatched from Multan to take part in rescue operation.

* Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) has confirmed helicopter crash.

* One dead body recovered.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Latest updates:

* The helicopter was flying from Dera Ghazi Khan to Peshawar via Dera Ismail Khan. Due to bad weather the pilot decided to divert flight to Multan.

* The crashed helicopter was a Bell 206 JetRanger / LongRanger.

* The ill-fated helicopter was carrying a total of four people:

1) Director General Rangers Major General Muhammad Nawaz.
2) Aide-De-Camp (ADC) Capt. Asif Nawaz (he's also son of Major General Muhammad Nawaz)
3) Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Aamir Abbas.
4) Technician Subedar Ibadullah.

* Two bodies recovered from crash site.

* Very strong winds were blowing in the area around crash site.

* The helicopter caught fire and exploded before crashing to river Indus, according to ey

* A Pakistan Army Mil Mi-17 helicopter has been dispatched from Mangla to take part in rescue operation. The helicopter is carrying boat, divers and engineers.

* Tail section, a tool box, a cell phone, wrist watch, section of fuselage/cabin has been recovered from crash site.

Here's map showing location of Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Multan, Leiah, Kot Sultan and River Indus.

The helicopter was flying from Dera Ghazi Khan to Peshawar via Dera Ismail Khan. Due to bad weather the pilot decided to divert flight to Multan. The helicopter crashed in into River Indus, near Kot Sultan, Leiah.


Pakistan Army Aérospatiale SA330J Puma helicopter (serial# 1576) at crash site.


View of river indus at crash site.


Wreckage of crashed helicopter apparently in dark green, light green and white colour scheme.


Wreckage of crashed helicopter.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

The crashed helicopter was Pakistan Rangers Bell 206L LongRanger (serial# 2025).


Serial number 2025 visible on piece of crashed helicopter's wreckage.

Here's photo of the same Pakistan Rangers Bell 206L LongRanger (serial# 2025) taken at Shaikh Zayed International Airport, Rahim Yar Khan, on February 12, 2008.

Click here to see large photo. (Photo by Muhammad Ahmed Faruqui)

Abbas

[TAILWIND]

So sad. lets pray for the safety of all those on board. It was a Bell 206L Longranger procured by Punjab Rangers in 1994. It was in civilian livery however flew under military callsign. Conflicting news, bad weather and then fire and explosion. Every accident is sad and unfortunate yet crashes due to bad weather and that too in a helicopter is extremely unfortunate and above all 'Un-avoidable' (if it was a bad wx only).
This too reminds us that with all the glamour and excitement of flying and aviation, it has a tragic and dark side as well. Thats why all efforts are and should be made to minimise if not eliminate such tragedies.

Few days back on this forum or else where there was a video of a song recorded for Rangers showing this helicopter. Perhaps Abbas can locate that.l

[TAILWIND]

It ahs been confirmed all on board died. Pilot LTC Amir, Maj Gen Muhammad Nawaz DG Rangers punjab, his son who was also his ADC, and Subedar Abid (crew Chief). Most probably CFIT due to poor Visibility/bad wx.
انا للہ و انا اليہ راجعون

[Abbas Ali]

^ Thank you Tailwind for details.

Two bodies have been recovered including body of Capt. Asif Nawaz.

Nets have been extended at Taunsa Barrage to trap/catch any of the missing bodies because of possibility of Indus river water currents taking missing bodies in that direction.

Helicopter's wreckage will be shifted to Multan for investigation.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to a report published in June 2 edition of English daily 'The News'.

* The helicopter was in contact with Multan Airport till 10:12AM before contact was lost.

* The helicopter was going to Kashmore but had to be re-routed for Multan due to bad weather, according to statement of Rangers spokesman quoted by the news report.


Tail rotor and other parts of crashed helicopter's tail section - Photo Source: www.aajkal.com.pk

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Leiah - Wreckage of crashed Pakistan Rangers helicopter loaded into a Pakistan Army Aérospatiale SA330J Puma helicopter (serial# 1576) on Wednesday (June 2) - Photo Source: DAWN

Seems somone placed that black cloth over Puma's engine intakes as protection against blowing windstorm dust ?

According to one news channel, wreckage pieces are being shifted to Multan for air crash investigation. No signs of sabotage found so far, according to latest reports.

Windstorm is believed to be the main cause of this tragedy, according to some officials.

Abbas