Helicopter Crash in North Waziristan: Six Dead, Ten Injured
A chartered helicopter owned by Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) crashed in North Waziristan on Saturday, resulting in six fatalities and injuring ten others on board. The Mi-8 helicopter crashed near an oilfield in the Shewa tehsil shortly after takeoff. Reports suggest that the pilots attempted to land the helicopter safely; however, the tail rotor hit the ground, causing the crash.
The helicopter was carrying a total of 21 people, including two foreign pilots. Initial investigations have confirmed that the crash was due to a technical fault, with no indications of sabotage detected. Mari Petroleum operates in the Waziristan Block, previously known as Bannu West, located in the North Waziristan district.
In June 2022, the company made a notable gas and condensate discovery at the Shewa-1 exploratory well, marking the largest hydrocarbon find in the country in the past 12 years. The company recently celebrated another achievement at the Shewa-2 appraisal-cum-exploratory well, which commenced on June 12, 2023.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) released a statement indicating that the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter (registration mark: RA-24537 MSN 97518) took off from Islamabad at 11:15 AM for Shewa, later departing for Bannu at 1:15 PM after a passenger change. However, due to engine failure, the helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing at Shewa. During the landing, the tail rotor struck the ground, causing the helicopter to overturn.
There were 21 individuals on board, comprising six crew members, a safety officer, and 14 passengers. Search and rescue operations, assisted by a military helicopter, were launched from Peshawar to evacuate the injured. Reports indicate that the injured were airlifted to CMH.
The helicopter, leased from Russia’s PANH Helicopters, was engaged in supporting Mari Petroleum’s operations in remote regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. It was operating under a wet lease agreement facilitated by Princely Jets, with the PCAA granting permission for six months. This lease was set to expire on September 28, 2024, the same day as the crash. The Bureau of Safety Investigation will carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
Doubts Revealed
North Waziristan -: North Waziristan is a region in Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan. It is known for its mountainous terrain and has been in the news for various military operations.
Mari Petroleum Company Limited -: Mari Petroleum Company Limited is a company in Pakistan that explores and produces oil and gas. They use helicopters to reach remote areas where they work.
Mi-8 helicopter -: The Mi-8 is a type of helicopter made in Russia. It is often used for transporting people and goods, especially in difficult-to-reach areas.
Shewa tehsil -: A tehsil is an administrative division in some countries like Pakistan and India. Shewa tehsil is a specific area within North Waziristan.
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority -: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority is a government organization that oversees all aspects of civil aviation in Pakistan, including safety and regulations.
sabotage -: Sabotage means deliberately causing damage or disruption. In this context, it means the crash was not caused by someone intentionally trying to make the helicopter crash.
CMH -: CMH stands for Combined Military Hospital. It is a hospital run by the military in Pakistan, where injured people are often taken for treatment.
PANH Helicopters -: PANH Helicopters is a company from Russia that leases helicopters to other companies and organizations for various uses, including transportation and support in remote areas.