Flying Officer Jyoti Prakash Mathur has been serving with a helicopter unit since April 1968. On the 27th April 1971, while serving with a Detachment he was detailed to undertake an operational mission. On the return flight his, track lay over thick forest and hilly terrain. After flying for 30 minutes the engine of the helicopter failed due to a mechanical defect. He immediately put the aircraft into autoÂÂrotation, and proceeded to carry out a forced landing. He selected a paddy field on the edge of the forest and skillfully manoeuvred the helicopter to a safe landing. |