Coast Guard helicopter crashed on Sunday just after takeoff from its enclave at the Cochin International Airport Limited. but the “presence of mind” of the pilot saved the lives of three persons onboard, a release said.
Coast Guard helicopter crashed on Sunday just after takeoff from its enclave at the Cochin International Airport Limited. but the “presence of mind” of the pilot saved the lives of three persons onboard, a release said.
An ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard met with an accident near main runway at Kochi Airport today. All crew are safe. The aircraft sustained damage to its rotors & airframe. ICG has ordered an inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
It said the chopper lost control when it was about 30-40 ft above the ground. However, the pilot showed “exemplary professionalism and presence of mind” with bare minimum controls and manoeuvred the aircraft away from blocking the main runway of the international airport, the ICG statement said “Prior to the inflight checks, HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) and ICG teams had carried out extensive and satisfactory ground trials,” the ICG said. “Immediately after takeoff, when CG 855 was at about 30-40 ft above ground, the cyclic controls (which controls longitudinal and lateral movement of aircraft) did not respond.” The pilot “cushioned the landing to the extent possible” in order to save the three persons on board, it added. One person has a minor injury in his hand, sources told PTI.