ALH Dhruv Chopper Crashes In Kochi, All Persons Onboard Safe, Probe Ordered: Indian Coast Guard
The fleet of ALH Dhruv choppers has been grounded since March 8 after a Navy chopper met with an accident off the coast of Mumbai
An ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard crashed in Kerala's Kochi on Sunday while the pilots of the force were testing the chopper. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) informed that the three persons onboard, including the pilot, were safe and the aircraft sustained damage.
In a statement, the ICG informed, "CG 855, an ALH Mk III based at Kochi, got airborne from Cochin International Airport at about 1225 hours for inflight checks after fitment of control rods on aircraft. Prior to the inflight checks, the HAL and ICG Team had carried out extensive and satisfactory ground trials on 26 Mar 2023."
"Immediately after takeoff, when CG 855 was at about 30-40 ft above ground, the cyclic controls (which controls longitudinal and lateral movement of aircraft) did not respond. Showing exemplary professionalism and presence of mind, the pilot with bare minimum controls manoeuvred the aircraft away from the main runway to avoid blocking the runway at the international airport," the coast guard stated.
It further informed that the pilot thereafter cushioned the landing "to the extent possible in order to save the three souls onboard." "The aircraft veered to the left and crashed onto the left side of the main runway. All crew are safe. The aircraft has sustained damage to its rotors and airframe. "
The Indian Coast Guard has ordered an inquiry, to investigate the cause of the accident.
The fleet of ALH Dhruv choppers was grounded on March 8 after a Navy chopper met with an accident off the coast of Mumbai leading to an emergency landing. The chopper is said to have experienced a sudden loss of power and rapid loss of height.
The chopper ditched near the Mumbai coast while it was carrying out a sortie over sea.
After being grounded for over 10 days, some of the ALH Dhruv helicopters of the Indian Army resumed operations, ANI reported Indian Army officials as informing last week. They said that the remaining fleet would be cleared for operations after checks are carried out by the technician teams including HAL officials.
The ALH Dhruv is featured as an important part of helicopter missions undertaken by all three forces involved in different terrains as choppers are deployed all over.
As per an ANI report, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy together operate around 40 of these Indian choppers which are used for operations over the sea.
In the March 8 incident, the pilot carried out controlled ditching over water and all three aircrews exited the helicopter safely. They were rescued as part of a swift rescue operation.
The ditched helicopter had deployed its emergency flotation gear and it was salvaged.
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