By Staff Correspondent
An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) Mark 3 belonging to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was compelled to make an emergency landing in Kochi, Kerala on Sunday while pilots were performing tests on the aircraft. According to ICG officials, the helicopter was hovering at approximately 25 feet when it was forced to land.
The ICG has since released a statement indicating that efforts are underway to resume operations of the ALH Dhruv fleet. The cause of the forced landing remains unclear, and an investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
This occurrence marks the second ALH-related incident this month. Earlier this month, on 8 March an Indian Navy ALH crashed off the coast of Mumbai. All three crew members on board were rescued safely by naval patrol craft, and an inquiry into the accident was subsequently ordered by the Navy.
In another tragic incident, two Indian Army pilots lost their lives in a Cheetah helicopter crash on 16 March. These incidents have collectively raised concerns about the safety and reliability of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) products and the ALH Dhruv fleet in particular and have prompted authorities to take action to ensure that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The ALH Dhruv fleet has remained grounded for more than two weeks since the crash off the coast of Mumbai. This has resulted in operational difficulties for both the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, as the helicopters play a critical role in maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and other critical operations.
As authorities continue to investigate the recent incidents, the safety of the ALH Dhruv fleet and its crew members is stated to remain a top priority. The government has pledged to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of its personnel and to ensure that the ALH fleet is operating at optimal levels of safety and reliability.
