Key Highlights:
- President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter wheels sank into a freshly concreted helipad at Pramadam Stadium in Kerala during her Sabarimala temple visit on October 22, 2025
- The newly constructed helipad was built overnight after the original landing location at Nilackal was changed due to adverse weather conditions
- Police and fire department personnel manually pushed the Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter out of the depression after the President departed for her temple visit
Opening Overview
A dramatic incident unfolded during President Droupadi Murmu’s historic visit to the Sabarimala temple when her helicopter wheels sank into a freshly prepared helipad at Kerala’s Pramadam Stadium on October 22, 2025. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident occurred when portions of the newly concreted landing pad could not support the weight of the Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter, creating small depressions where the aircraft’s wheels touched down.
This unprecedented situation during the President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala episode required immediate intervention from security personnel who manually extracted the aircraft from the compromised surface. The incident highlighted infrastructure challenges during high-profile visits, as the helipad was constructed hastily overnight after weather conditions forced a last-minute change from the original landing site at Nilackal near Pamba. Despite the President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala mishap, the President safely continued her journey to the sacred shrine, marking her as the first woman head of state to visit Sabarimala temple.
Kerala: Chaos during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit, a portion of the newly prepared helipad tarmac at Pramadam Stadium sank in moments after her chopper landed. Police and fire personnel had to physically push the helicopter out of the sunken spot.
— Pinky Rajpurohit 🇮🇳 (@Madrassan_Pinky) October 22, 2025
Reports say the helipad was… pic.twitter.com/7iAVbYQmZr
Technical Failure and Emergency Response
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident exposed critical infrastructure planning shortcomings during VIP operations. According to senior police officials, the concrete at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium helipad had not fully set when the Mi-17 helicopter touched down around 9:05 AM. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala situation required the combined efforts of multiple agencies, with police and fire department personnel physically pushing the aircraft wheels out of the depressions.
- The Mi-17 helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000 kg, which the hastily prepared concrete surface could not adequately support
- Emergency response teams immediately secured the area and manually repositioned the helicopter to prevent further damage
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala episode demonstrated the challenges of last-minute venue changes, as Pramadam was selected only hours before the visit due to inclement weather at Nilackal. The Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter, with its substantial weight capacity designed for carrying up to 24 troops or 4,000 kg of cargo internally, requires properly cured concrete surfaces for safe operations. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident underscored the importance of adequate preparation time for temporary helicopter landing zones during presidential visits.
Presidential Visit Security Protocols and Logistics
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident occurred during one of the most significant security operations in Kerala’s recent history. President Murmu’s four-day official visit to Kerala involved extensive coordination between the Kerala Police, Travancore Devaswom Board, and district administration to ensure seamless operations. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala mishap did not compromise the overall security framework, as backup transportation arrangements were immediately activated.
- Standard VIP flight operations require multiple safety measures including weather assessments, crew qualifications, and infrastructure verification according to DGCA guidelines
- The President’s journey from Pramadam to Pamba involved a convoy of five four-wheel-drive vehicles and an ambulance following established security protocols
Despite the President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala setback, the visit proceeded according to schedule with the President traveling by road to Pamba, the foothills of Sabarimala. The comprehensive security arrangements included traffic control measures, emergency response systems, and crowd management protocols to handle the historic nature of the visit. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident highlighted the robust contingency planning that ensures VIP operations continue despite unexpected technical challenges.
Historical Significance of Sabarimala Visit
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident occurred during a landmark moment as President Murmu became the first woman head of state to visit the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala for prayers. This historic visit followed traditional temple protocols including carrying Irumudikkettu, wearing black dress, and participating in rituals at the Pampa Ganapathi Temple. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala episode did not detract from the spiritual significance of the occasion, which marked only the second presidential visit to the shrine since former President V.V. Giri’s visit in the 1970s.
- The Travancore Devaswom Board implemented special arrangements ensuring standard temple protocol for dignitaries was maintained throughout the visit
- Security rehearsals and trial runs were conducted at Nilakkal, Pamba, and Sannidhanam to prepare for the unprecedented presidential pilgrimage
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident became a footnote in what officials described as a successful diplomatic and spiritual engagement. President Murmu’s darshan at the temple between 11:55 AM and 12:25 PM proceeded without further complications, demonstrating the effectiveness of backup protocols when primary plans encounter obstacles. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala situation ultimately showcased the resilience of security operations and the ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances during high-profile visits.
Infrastructure Standards and Aviation Safety Implications
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident raised important questions about temporary helipad construction standards and aviation safety protocols. According to DGCA safety regulations, helicopter landing zones require specific technical specifications to handle aircraft weighing up to 13,000 kg like the Mi-17V5 used for presidential transportation. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala episode demonstrated the challenges of creating adequate landing infrastructure within compressed timeframes.
- Civil aviation guidelines mandate proper concrete curing times and load-bearing capacity assessments for helicopter operations, particularly in mountainous and challenging terrains
- The Mi-17V5 helicopter specifications include a service ceiling of 6,000 meters and maximum payload capacity of 4,000 kg, requiring robust landing surfaces
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident may prompt reviews of emergency helipad construction protocols and weather contingency planning for VIP operations. Kerala’s Director General of Police ruled out security lapses, emphasizing that the helipad was prepared according to available guidelines despite time constraints. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala situation highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between aviation authorities and local infrastructure teams when establishing temporary landing facilities for high-security operations.
Final Assessment
The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala incident, while visually dramatic, demonstrated the effectiveness of emergency response protocols and contingency planning during VIP operations. The successful completion of President Murmu’s historic Sabarimala visit despite the helipad mishap showcased the professionalism of security agencies and their ability to adapt to unexpected technical challenges. The President Murmu helicopter sinks Kerala episode will likely serve as a case study for improving temporary aviation infrastructure standards and weather-related contingency planning for future high-profile visits. This incident underscored the complex logistics involved in presidential security operations while highlighting the resilience of India’s VIP transportation protocols when facing unforeseen circumstances.
