Copter snag grounds CM Siddaramaiah

Panic gripped HAL Airport on Saturday when a helicopter that was  to fly Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his entourage to Mysuru developed a snag just before it was to take off.

"A minor fire was noticed, along with hoarse sound emanating from the chopper's silencer. Helicopter Pilot Capt. Unnikrishnan and co-pilot Capt. Doulta requested Mr Siddaramaiah and his entourage to get down from the chopper as they cannot take off (sic)," a note released by the Chief Minister's media office stated.

The chopper had been hired from a New Delhi-based private aviation company. Mr Siddarmaiah was to attend several programmes in Mysuru.