March 3 :    March 3:  Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi died after his helicopter crashed into a fish pond this morning in Andhra Pradesh, stunning the political establishment that has been losing young leaders to Sunday accidents with chilling regularity. The 51-year-old Balayogi, the youngest to occupy the Speaker's chair at 47 four years ago and the first Dalit to be elected to the post, was the first Speaker to die in harness. Balayogi is survived by his wife Vijayakumari, one son and three daughters. The chopper's pilot, G.V. Menon, and Balayogi's additional personal secretary, K.S. Raju, also died in the crash that occurred in bad weather at Kaikalur, about 100 km from Vijayawada. The helicopter developed a technical problem while ferrying Balayogi to Hyderabad from Bhimavaram in West Godavari district, where he had gone to attend a prayer meeting. The helicopter hit a coconut tree and crashed into the pond minutes after taking off. Balayogi died of burn injuries and multiple fractures. The helicopter, belonging to Deccan Aviation Ltd, was hired by the missionaries who had organised the prayer meeting of a US-based evangelist, K.A. Paul. Balayogi was scheduled to take a train last night to reach the state capital this morning but he later accepted the offer to use the helicopter. Balayogi's family members said he went to Dwaraka Tirumala, a renowned temple in West Godavari district, last night and boarded the helicopter this morning at Bhimavaram. The Centre has ordered a probe into the crash. Officials came to know of the crash after Mani, a fishery-owner who saw the helicopter nosediving, called Kaikalur police on his cellphone minutes after the accident. This is the third time that a tragedy is snatching away on Sunday a politician from the younger generation. Congress leader Rajesh Pilot died in a road accident on a Sunday two years ago. Congress' Madhavrao Scindia, too, died on a Sunday in an air crash last year. Balayogi's body will be taken to Delhi tomorrow to enable parliamentarians and other leaders to pay their last respects. In the evening, the body will be flown to Rajahmundry to be taken to Eedurulanka, Balayogi's home town, for funeral on Wednesday. The Cabinet has announced national mourning for two days. The national flag will be flown at half-mast during this period. Parliament will meet tomorrow at 11 am presided over by deputy Speaker P.M. Sayeed but will be adjourned for the day after paying homage to Balayogi.