On 01 May 79, Squadron Leader Manohar Pandurang Rane was detailed to fly the Chief of the Staff from Halwara to Barnala and back. On completion of task, when he was flying the helicopter back to base, the rotor blade spacing cables broke and severed two of the three controls rods to the rotor head. This left him with no control over the attitude or descent path of the helicopter. He assessed the performance what little control remained and gradually managed to coax the aircraft into a slightly nose-up descent path. Realizing that he would not be able to slow down the descent rate, he shut down the engine as there was no other alternative. Unfortunately the helicopter crashed and caught fire and Squadron Leader Rane lost his life.

Squadron Leader Manohar Pandurang Rane thus displayed courage, professional skill and devotion to duty.