Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashes in Gujarat during training, killing three crew members

An Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv crashed on Sunday, January 5, near the runway of the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar, Gujarat, at approximately 12:10 pm. The helicopter was on a routine training sortie when it experienced technical difficulties, which led to the crash. Upon impact, the helicopter caught fire, and emergency personnel were quick to deploy fire tenders to bring the blaze under control. Despite efforts to save them, all three crew members aboard the helicopter were critically injured and succumbed to their injuries after being rushed to a local hospital.

The three personnel on board, including two pilots, were severely burnt in the crash. Kamala Baug police station’s Inspector Rajesh Kanmiya confirmed that two of the crew members were declared dead on arrival, while the third was alive when transported to the hospital but later died. Their identities have not been disclosed. The crash occurred on the edge of the runway, and fire-fighting units managed to control the fire before it spread further. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the crash to determine the cause.

The ALH Dhruv is a twin-engine, multi-role helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It has been in service since 2002 and is used by the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, for various roles, such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, transport, and anti-submarine warfare. The helicopter is designed to operate in challenging environments and is capable of carrying out missions in extreme weather conditions. The ICG uses the Dhruv helicopters extensively for maritime patrol, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations, particularly along the western coastline.

This crash follows a series of safety upgrades on the ICG’s ALH Dhruv fleet, which were initiated by HAL after several incidents involving technical issues with the helicopters. The fleet was grounded temporarily to address concerns about the helicopters’ airworthiness, particularly regarding the flying controls and transmission systems. The safety upgrades were implemented to improve the overall reliability of the helicopters and prevent further accidents. Although these modifications were completed, the incident in Porbandar highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of the fleet.

The Indian Coast Guard operates 16 ALH Dhruv helicopters, which are considered a vital asset for both military and civilian operations. The fleet is deployed for a wide range of missions, including patrolling India’s vast coastline, conducting search and rescue operations, and providing aid during natural disasters. In addition to their use by the ICG, the Dhruv helicopters are also utilized by the Indian Army, Navy, and have been exported to several countries, including Nepal, Mauritius, and the Maldives. The investigation into Sunday’s crash will aim to determine whether technical issues, human error, or other factors contributed to the incident.