Indian Coast Guard chopper crashes after take-off in Kochi

There were three ICG personnel on the chopper and sources said they suffered minor injuries

A helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed during take off at the Nedumbassery airport in Kochi on Sunday.

According to sources, there were three Coast Guard personnel in the chopper. They suffered minor injuries only. The airport that was shut following the incident but resumed operations after about two hours.

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The incident took place around 12.25 pm when the advanced-light-helicopter crashed immediately after take-off from the airport premises. The chopper nose-dived from a low altitude of around 30 to 40 feet. Hence, the accident was not disastrous and there was no fire. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and other emergency protocols were invoked. The three officials were rushed to hospital. One of them is reported to have suffered a fracture.

Official sources said that the helicopter, CG 855, was carrying out inflight checks after fitting control rods. The cyclic controls for controlling longitudinal and lateral movement of aircraft did not respond, thereby leading to the crash. The aircraft has sustained damage to its rotors and airframe and the ICG has ordered an inquiry.

The incident took place near the runway, thereby resulting in the temporary closure of the airport: a flight from Oman was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram due to the closure.

Subsequently, the helicopter was shifted from the runway using cranes and the airport reopened by 2.30 pm. The flight diverted to Thiruvananthapuram was subsequently brought to Kochi.