Sri Vijaya Puram | February 27, 2026
The Pawan Hans Dauphin N3 helicopter (registration VT-PHY), which ditched into the sea approximately 300 metres short of the Mayabunder helipad on February 24, 2026, was successfully towed to the Mayabunder Jetty on Friday.
The helicopter was operating a scheduled flight en route from Sri Vijaya Puram to Mayabunder via Rangat when the incident occurred. The aircraft went down in the sea just before reaching its destination at Mayabunder in North and Middle Andaman district.
Photographs accessed by Nicobar Times showed the aircraft partially afloat with multiple floatation supports attached during the recovery operation. According to sources, empty plastic drums were securely tied to the helicopter to provide additional buoyancy and prevent it from submerging while being moved.
The towing operation was carried out using several engine-powered dinghies — traditional style boats commonly used by local fishermen in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sources said multiple boats were engaged in a coordinated effort to carefully tow the helicopter from the ditching site to the jetty. Upon arrival, the aircraft was positioned alongside the jetty and secured in a manner similar to docking a vessel.
As per the last reports, authorities were awaiting the deployment of a crane to lift the helicopter out of the water and place it onto the jetty platform. Once shifted ashore, investigators are expected to carry out a detailed technical examination of the aircraft as part of the ongoing probe.
Meanwhile, national media reported that a joint team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted an on-site inspection at the ditching location on Thursday.
The 14-member investigation team comprised Jose Mathew, Consultant (Accident Prevention) at AAIB, a senior DGCA official, technical personnel from Pawan Hans, and members of the Police Marine Force and Forest Department. Officials stated that the team visited the site on Thursday afternoon to assess the situation. However, as of that day, no physical evidence had been collected from the wreckage.
Further investigation into the circumstances that led to the ditching of the helicopter is underway.
