7 dead in IAF copter crash
An Indian Air Force Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter ( ALH) crashed in Ataria in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday evening, killing all seven IAF personnel on board including two officers. The IAF has ordered an inquiry into the tragedy which has raised questions on its air- safety record.
In a statement from New Delhi, the IAF said, “One Advanced Light Helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed near Sitapur of Lucknow area at about 4.57 pm on July 25. The helicopter was airborne from Bareilly at 3.53 pm and was on a mission to Allahabad. The pilot gave a “may- day” ( emergency) call and soon after that there was a loss of contact on radar and on radio. A total of seven air warriors including two pilots were on board. It is feared that there are no survivors. There is no reported damage on ground.”
IAF sources confirmed later on Friday evening that all seven personnel died in the crash. Of the two officers who died, one was a Wing Commander and the other was a Squadron Leader.
The Dhruv ALH is indigenously- developed. “The pilot had apparently reported some technical problems to the Air Traffic Control just before the chopper went down. The helicopter was 37- km north of Lucknow. After that, it lost contact with Air Traffic Controllers in Lucknow,” said an official in Lucknow.
District magistrate of Sitapur J. P. Singh said that according to eyewit- nesses, the chopper turned into a ball of fire as it crashed down in Manipurwa in Ataria area. “The chopper turned into a ball of fire as it came down and chances of anyone on board surviving are bleak. The fire brigades have been called in and attempts are on to douse the flames. Senior officials have also reached the spot,” he said earlier.
The government recently informed Parliament that during the financial year 2013- 14, five fighter aircraft and one transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force were destroyed in accidents and that six IAF personnel were killed in these accidents.