Ashish Ranjan
Sunday, an ALH DHRUV Mark 3 helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was compelled to make an emergency landing in Kochi, Kerala. Three pilots were aboard the helicopter, and one of them sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was on an instructional flight. The emergency landing occurred while the operators were testing the helicopter.
The helicopter was approximately 25 feet off the ground when it was compelled to land. The ICG is attempting to resume operations of the ALH Dhruv fleet.
“An incident involving a forced landing of an Indian Coast Guard ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopter occurred today in Kochi while the helicopter was being tested by its pilots. The helicopter was approximately 25 feet in the air when it had to make an emergency landing. The ICG is working towards resuming operations of the ALH Dhruv fleet, according to a statement released by ICG officials.
“At 12:25 UTC, CG 855, an ALH Mk III based in Kochi, took off from Cochin International Airport for in-flight inspections following the installation of control rods on the aircraft. Prior to the flight checks, the HAL and ICG Team conducted exhaustive and successful ground trials on March 26, 2023, according to the Indian Coast Guard.
🔴An incident of forced landing of an ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard today took place in Kochi while the pilots of the force were testing the chopper. The chopper was at around 25 feet height when it had to make a forced landing. The ICG is working towards… pic.twitter.com/GCUpdKdg08
— IDU (@defencealerts) March 26, 2023
“Immediately following takeoff, when CG 855 was approximately 30 to 40 feet above the ground, the cyclic controls (which regulate longitudinal and lateral movement of the aircraft) failed to respond. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from the main runway to avoid obstructing the runway at the international airport while displaying exemplary professionalism and mental acuity, according to the coast guard.
“Thereafter, he cushioned the landing as much as possible to save the three lives on board. The aircraft veered to the left and fell on the main runway’s left side. All crew members are unharmed. The aircraft’s rotors and airframe have sustained damage. The Indian Coast Guard has ordered an investigation into the cause of the catastrophe, according to the report.
The fleet of ALH Dhruv helicopters has been suspended since March 8, following an accident involving a Navy helicopter off the coast of Mumbai.
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On March 8, an Indian Navy ALH was involved in an accident off the coast of Mumbai. The navy reported that three crew members were rescued by a naval patrol vessel. An investigation into the incident was also ordered.
