Indian Army's Dhruv Helicopter Crashes, Two Officers Killed

The Indian Army’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv yesterday crashed in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly killing two officers.

The Army Aviation’s chopper was on a night flying training mission, took off from Manasbal base at about 7 pm and crashed within about an hour after taking off.

Army officials said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause behind the crash.

At Manasbal, Army’s Aviation wing is operating an airstrip that is used to keep an eye on the operations in north Kashmir and the Line of Control.

ALH Dhruv, a twin engine chopper is manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). In the most recent crashes, a Dhruv helicopter had crashed in Ecuador — which has acquired seven ALH Dhruvs from India and has lost four so far.

In August 2014, IAF temporarily grounded its Dhruv chopper fleet after an ALH crashed near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the death of seven personnel on-board the chopper. While technical snags have been prime causes behind the crashes, officials said that the reasons behind the present crash could be “environmental, technical or human” and can be determined only after the inquiry is complete.