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Indian Coast Guard Helicopter Crash: A helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard has crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat. Three crew members are reported dead. An Indian Coast Guard official said that the Indian Coast Guard's ALH Dhruv crashed during a routine training flight in Porbandar, Gujarat today.
The incident took place at the Coast Guard Air Force Air Enclave in Porbandar. Officials said that the helicopter had developed a technical fault, which caused the accident. There were three people on board the helicopter, including two pilots. According to a PTI report, all three have died in the accident.
Indian Coast Guard is investigating the incident
A police officer told news agency PTI, "An Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat, killing three crew members." The Indian Coast Guard is investigating the incident and further details are awaited.
HAL had done security upgrade
The incident comes at a time when crucial safety upgrade work on the military ALH fleet undertaken by HAL following a series of accidents last year has been completed and advanced control systems installed on the locally built choppers are expected to improve their airworthiness.
The accident also happened in September
The Dhruv fleet, plagued by design problems, was grounded several times last year as a series of accidents raised questions about its flight safety record. In September, a Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-III) crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar.
The Coast Guard operates 16 ALHs, which are designed and manufactured by Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The helicopter was on a medical evacuation mission responding to an emergency on a tanker when it crashed into the sea about 15 minutes later, at 11:15 pm. The same helicopter played a key role in rescue operations during the recent floods in Gujarat.
