3 killed as Coast Guard chopper crashes in Gujarat’s Porbandar
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Porbandar/ Gujarat: An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Coast Guard crashed in Gujarat's Porbandar killing three crew members onboard, NDTV reported citing sources.
The ALH Dhruv was on a routine sortie when it crashed in an open field and was immediately up in flames, according to the report.
An inquiry has been launched as the reason behind the helicopter’s crash is still not known and also the identities of the victims are yet to know.
People who got injured in the crash that had taken place at the Air Enclave of the Indian Coast Guard are being treated at the civil hospital.
The Indian Coast Guard is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency in India's territorial waters.
In another incident four months ago, three crew members of ALH MK-III helicopter went missing after the helicopter fell into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar.
While the bodies of two crew members were recovered following the crash, the mortal remains of the pilot in command Rakesh Kumar Rana was found in October after a month-long search.
The chopper was trying to evacuate an injured man on board motor tanker Hari Leela when it crashed nearly 30 nautical miles from the Porbandar coast.
Some flaws including certain design and metallurgy issues in some components were identified two years ago in the ALH Dhruv chopper operated by the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
The Army and the Indian Air Force grounded the fleet and operations resumed after the completion of safety audit.
A total of over 325 ALH Dhruv helicopters, operated by the Indian Navy, the IAF, the Army and the Coast Guard, underwent technical checks following the incidents of accidents in 2023.