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Indian Coast Guard ALH Helicopter Crashes, Raising Safety Concerns

An Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III crashed during a training flight in Porbandar, Gujarat, on January 5, 2025, killing all three people on board. This is the second fatal ALH Mark-III crash in just four months.  

Here's a simplified explanation:

What happened? An Indian Coast Guard helicopter crashed during training, resulting in fatalities.  

What type of helicopter was it? An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III.

Why is this concerning?

  • This is the second fatal crash of an ALH Mark-III in four months. The previous one was in September during a medical evacuation.  

  • There was also another ALH incident in March 2023, although no one was killed in that one.  

  • These incidents raise serious safety concerns about the ALH model.

What is being done to investigate?

  • The Indian Coast Guard has started investigations into the crashes.

  • The investigations are focusing on the helicopter's controls and transmission systems.

  • After each crash, all ALH helicopters were temporarily grounded for safety checks. After the January crash, about 300 ALH helicopters were grounded.  

What is the background of the ALH?

  • The ALH (also known as the HAL Dhruv) was first developed in 1984.  

  • It was designed to replace older Chetak and Cheetah helicopters.  

  • It's a multi-purpose helicopter.

  • Most of the helicopter is made in India, but important parts like the engines were developed with foreign companies.  

  • Over time, more and more parts are being made in India.

Have there been other ALH crashes? Yes, other versions of the ALH have also crashed:

  • January 2021: Army ALH crashed due to a technical issue.  

  • August 2021: ALH Rudra (attack helicopter version) crashed, killing both pilots.  

  • October 2022: ALH Rudra crashed, killing two pilots and three soldiers.  

  • May 2023: Army ALH crashed, killing one soldier.  

What are the main safety concerns?

  • Military aviation experts are calling for independent investigations into the ALH's safety record.

  • Past investigations have found design flaws, especially with the booster control rods, which can affect the pilot's control of the helicopter.

  • HAL is now replacing these rods with stronger steel versions in newer ALH models.

Key Terms/Acronyms:

  • ALH: Advanced Light Helicopter (also known as HAL Dhruv).  

In simple terms: An Indian Coast Guard helicopter has crashed, killing all on board.

This is the second fatal crash of this type of helicopter in a short time, raising worries about its safety. Investigations are underway, and all similar helicopters have been grounded for checks. This particular helicopter model has had other crashes in the past, and some design issues have been identified.


 

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