An Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv crashed on Sunday in Porbandar, Gujarat, during a routine training sortie, claiming the lives of all three crew members onboard. The crash occurred at the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Porbandar at around 12:10 pm, following a technical malfunction in the helicopter.
According to officials, the three victims included two pilots and one other crew member. While two of them were declared dead on arrival, the third was initially alive when rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to injuries later, confirmed Kamala Baug police station’s inspector, Rajesh Kanmiya.
The helicopter crashed near the runway and immediately caught fire. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, and the severely burnt crew members were retrieved from the wreckage and taken to the hospital.
Porbandar’s Superintendent of Police, Bhagirathsinh Jadeja, confirmed that the helicopter had suffered technical issues before the crash and praised the prompt response of the fire and rescue teams. The Indian Coast Guard has initiated an investigation into the incident.
This tragic event follows a series of safety concerns regarding the ALH fleet. Last year, a number of accidents involving the Dhruv helicopters raised serious questions about their airworthiness. In response, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) completed a critical safety upgrade for the fleet, aimed at improving flight safety. The newly installed control system is expected to enhance the operational reliability of the locally manufactured helicopters.
Earlier in September 2024, another Dhruv helicopter had crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar while performing a medical evacuation mission. In the aftermath of that incident, the Coast Guard ordered a comprehensive safety inspection of the ALH fleet, focusing on the flying controls and transmission system. The fleet was temporarily grounded for inspection.
The Indian Coast Guard operates a fleet of 16 ALH helicopters, designed by HAL in Bengaluru. The same ALH that crashed in September had recently been involved in a successful rescue operation during Gujarat’s flood crisis, saving 67 lives.
The investigation into Sunday’s crash is ongoing, and the Coast Guard has vowed to ensure the safety of its air operations moving forward.
