Following a spate of crashes involving Dhruv advanced light helicopters (ALH), experts have identified critical flaws, including metallurgical and design issues, in a key component. Prompt actions are now being taken on a priority basis to address these concerns and enhance flight safety, reliable sources said here on Wednesday.
The army, air force, navy and coast guard operate more than 330 ALHs, sources said here on Wednesday.
The helicopters are indigenously designed and manufactured by the public sector aerospace conglomerate Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL). The helicopters are now getting clearance for flying in batches for urgent missions after comprehensive checks, sources said. In the past five years, the ALH was involved in 12 accidents, including the crash-landing of an army helicopter in Jammu and Kashmir on May four this year in which a soldier was killed and two pilots were injured.
Earlier, a Coast Guard ALH made a forced landing in Kochi on March 26, and a Navy ALH ditched (emergency landing in water) into the Arabian Sea on March 8.
As specified in a government letter dated May 22, the resumption of urgent flights followed the prescribed “satisfactory conduct of independent maintenance flight safety audit” of critical items and systems, and compliance with safety-related “special technical instructions and alert notices” issued by technical authorities.
Sources said the helicopters are being operated again, but the parts are being changed on a priority basis and their flying life has been reduced from what it was earlier.