On Sunday in Porbandar, Gujarat, a helicopter from the Indian Coast Guard crashed while trying to land, resulting in the deaths of three crew members. The helicopter, known as an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), was returning from a routine mission when it crashed around 12:15 PM.
Superintendent of Police Bhagirathsinh Jadeja reported that the helicopter caught fire after hitting the ground, and sadly, two pilots and a diver lost their lives in the incident. Their identities aren’t confirmed yet, and their bodies have been sent for examination.
The Porbandar airport, where the crash happened, is not open for regular commercial flights. It is mainly used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard is currently investigating what caused the crash.
The Coast Guard operates 16 ALH Dhruv helicopters, which are made in Bengaluru by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This isn’t the first serious incident involving these helicopters. In September 2024, another ALH helicopter crashed into the sea during a medical evacuation, leading to a temporary halt of the helicopter fleet for safety checks. In that crash, three out of four crew members died.
In March 2024, the Ministry of Defence ordered 34 more ALH Dhruv Mk III helicopters, including 9 specifically for the Coast Guard.
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