Wed Oct 22 15:19:41 UTC 2025: ## Summary:
President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter experienced a minor incident upon landing in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, after its wheels partially settled on a newly constructed helipad that had not fully set due to damp weather. Despite the incident, authorities dismissed security concerns, stating the landing was cleared and the helicopter was later cleared for takeoff. Officials explained that personnel were pushing the helicopter at the pilot’s request to reposition it for takeoff. The incident drew public attention due to circulating visuals of personnel manually pushing the helicopter.
News Article:
President’s Helicopter Briefly Delayed After Landing on Unset Helipad in Kerala
PATHANAMTHITTA, KERALA – October 22, 2025 – A minor incident involving President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter occurred Wednesday after it landed on a newly constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam, Pathanamthitta district. The wheels of the helicopter partially settled on the still-unset concrete, causing a brief delay.
Images circulating online showed police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel pushing the helicopter, sparking speculation. However, authorities have downplayed the incident, emphasizing that there was no security breach.
Officials explained that the helipad had been completed just hours before the President’s arrival and that the surface had not fully hardened due to damp weather conditions. Despite this, security personnel and ground coordination staff had cleared the landing.
Pathanamthitta Collector S. Prem Krishnan stated the incident stemmed from a slight shift in the helicopter’s tail during landing. “The H mark, at the centre of the landing area, required proper concreting, and the outer portions were slightly softer. When the tail touched this area, it caused a minor tyre marking.”
He added that the helicopter was pushed at the pilot’s request to reposition it accurately on the designated “H” marking for takeoff. Konni legislator K.U. Janessh Kumar echoed this explanation, stating the movement was necessary to prevent dust and debris from being stirred up during takeoff.
“The helicopter had moved slightly backward upon landing. During take off, the rotor could have stirred-up dust and debris. The pilot instructed security personnel to move it to the centre of the helipad. No damage occurred,” said Kumar.
The incident, while drawing significant public attention, is being treated as a minor occurrence with no damage to the helicopter or security implications. The helicopter was later cleared for takeoff from the same location.
First Piper 