Helicopter Crash at Porbandar Coast Guard Airport: 3 Dead, Including 2 Pilots, in ALH Dhruv
An incident of a helicopter crash has been reported at the Coast Guard Airport in Porbandar. The ALH Dhruv helicopter crashed at the Air Enclave, resulting in the deaths of three people, including two pilots and one other individual.
Explosion During Landing at 12:30 PM
The helicopter crashed while landing on the Porbandar Coast Guard airstrip at around 12:30 PM today, leading to a massive explosion and fire. Immediate firefighting efforts were undertaken, and the bodies were transported to Bhavsinhji Civil Hospital. The incident caused panic among security agencies.
Previous Crash in September 2023
Last year, on September 2, 2023, an Indian Coast Guard Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Dhruv) crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar. Out of four crew members onboard, one was rescued, while three went missing.
Fatal Helicopter Crash Four Months Ago
Four months ago, on September 3, 2024, another Coast Guard helicopter crashed during a rescue operation near Porbandar. Three Coast Guard personnel lost their lives in the incident, including pilot Rakesh Kumar Rana, whose body was missing until it was recovered from the sea a month later.
Remains Recovered from the Sea
On the night of September 2, 2023, 45 nautical miles from Porbandar, a Coast Guard helicopter crashed while conducting a rescue operation for the ship Harileela. Three personnel were killed in the crash. The remains of Commandant Vipin Babu and Karan Singh were recovered from the sea on September 3, 2024. Pilot Rakesh Kumar Rana’s body was found 38 days later.
Missing Officer Found in Fisherman’s Net
Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, who went missing in the crash, was later discovered in a fishing net near Porbandar by a fisherman, Hitesh Raman Arodariya. He immediately informed the authorities, bringing closure to the search for the missing officer.
Three Major Dhruv Helicopter Incidents This Year
First Incident: Emergency Landing in the Arabian Sea on March 8
An Indian Navy ALH Dhruv made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea on March 8 during a routine patrol. Due to a loss of power and altitude, the pilot landed the helicopter on water in a procedure known as “ditching.” The Navy rescued the three crew members onboard and initiated an investigation.
Second Incident: Emergency Landing in Kerala on March 26
An ALH Dhruv Mark III helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard made an emergency landing near Cochin International Airport during a test flight. The incident occurred at 12:30 PM when the helicopter was 25 feet in the air. Although the crash was averted, one trainee suffered a fracture.
Third Incident: Crash in Kishtwar on May 4
On May 4, an ALH Dhruv helicopter crashed in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the death of one technician, Paballa Anil, and injuries to two pilots. The incident occurred after the pilot reported a technical fault to Air Traffic Control and attempted a cautious landing.
India Operates 312 Dhruv Helicopters
India currently operates 312 Dhruv helicopters across its armed forces, with 107 in the Air Force, 191 in the Army, and 14 in the Navy. Additionally, the Navy and Army have placed orders for 11 and 73 more helicopters, respectively.
Dhruv Helicopters in the Air Force Sarang Team
The Dhruv helicopter is part of the Air Force’s Sarang aerobatic team, which has performed at international airshows in Paris, Edinburgh, Berlin, and Singapore, as well as at Aero India. The team also participates in events like Air Force Day and NDA Passing Out Parades.
Foreign Armies Operating Dhruv Helicopters
The Dhruv helicopter is used by the security forces of Nepal, Mauritius, and the Maldives. Ecuador had also purchased seven Dhruv helicopters from India but canceled its contract with HAL after four crashes.
