Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar’s chopper makes emergency landing after collision with a kite

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar had a narrow escape on Tuesday when a kite crashed into his helicopter as he was on the way to Kolar district.

The Congress leader was traveling to a rally in Mulbagal from Jakkur aerodrome in Bengaluru. The crash shattered the helicopter’s glass, forcing an emergency landing at the HAL airport.

Shivakumar, who was unhurt, tweeted about the accident and thanked the pilot for his quick response. He added that he was traveling to Mulbagal by road, as no other chopper was available. “We encountered three birds. The pilot avoided two of them, but a third one crashed into us from below,” he said.


This is the second time in the Karnataka assembly elections this year that a major leader has had flight issues. On March 6, BJP veteran leader BS Yediyurappa faced a rough landing as his chopper was besieged by flying pieces of plastic during its descent. The chopper kept hovering in the air while police cleared the ground below.