HAL chopper crash lands, pilots safe

The pilot, retired Air Commodore Roj Assey (56) and trainee Captain Virendra Singh (25) of the Indian Army, sustained minor injuries when the helicopter in hover crashed moments after take off at 9 am. The two pilots are being treated at HAL Hospital.

According to HAL, the helicopter had only attained a height of 10-15 feet before crashing, although some eyewitnesses put the height at 507 ft. “The aircraft was about to take off when it impacted the ground and was substantially damaged,” HAL said.

Initial reports indicated that the chopper had spun before it crashed. The crash might have occurred due to the tail-rotor-control loss. HAL said fire tenders were pressed into service and the runway was closed for operations.

“The matter has been reported to the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) who will conduct an inquiry. HAL will render all assistance that may be required,” the release added.
HAL chairman Ashok Naik said the cause of the mishap was being ascertained. HAL would go in for its procedure of preparing a post-impact analysis report. The DGCA report is awaited. A team is expected to arrive here from Hyderabad.