HYDERABAD, Sept 4 :
The exact reasons for the mishap of chopper flying Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy are not established but the experts feel that a lightning strike may have led to the immobilisation of the flight.
According to the reliable sources here on Friday, the lightning might not have brought the ill-fated chopper down but certainly caused enough damage to the altimeter. With altimeter not functioning properly, the pilot was clueless and was led to deviate from the flight path. The inclement weather added to the woes of the pilot for he was not able to have a good view of the land below due to poor light and overcast conditions.
All these problems complicated the situation leading the copter to hit the cliff of the hill below 14 metres from the cliff. As a result the chopper exploded and broke into pieces.
The state Government officials had a clue about the disaster but they did not want t o believe such a worst type of mishap would take place. In a positive frame of mind they aired the announcements that the chopper would have landed safely in some remote part of the Nallmala forests.
Based on an SMS message sent to the chief security officer's cellphone, the search helicopter could identify the site where the chopper crashed.
The hilly terrain caused many hardships to the army commandos who had to be air dropped by a helicopter to collect the bodies. After intense struggle the commandos retrieved the five bodies which were beyond recognition.