The Indian Coast Guard has recovered the bodies of two personnel who went missing after their Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-III) crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar on Monday night. The incident occurred during a medical evacuation mission, according to officials familiar with the matter.One crew member, a flight diver, was successfully rescued earlier in the day, but the search for the missing pilot, Commandant Rakesh Rana, is ongoing as of Tuesday evening. The recovered bodies have been identified as Deputy Commandant Vipin Babu, the helicopters co-pilot, and another flight diver.Helicopter Details and Mission BackgroundThe ill-fated helicopter was deployed for an emergency medical evacuation following a distress call from the Indian-flagged motor tanker Hari Leela, located about 45 kilometers from Porbandar. The helicopter ditched into the sea just 15 minutes after takeoff, around 11:15 PM. Ditching refers to an aircraft making an emergency landing in water.Safety Measures and Fleet InspectionIn response to the crash, the Coast Guard has ordered a one-time safety inspection of its ALH fleet, focusing on critical areas such as flying controls and the transmission system. The entire fleet, comprising 16 helicopters designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been temporarily grounded pending this inspection.The Dhruv helicopter involved in the crash had recently been part of rescue operations in flood-affected areas of Gujarat, where it played a crucial role in saving 67 lives.Ongoing Investigation and Preliminary FindingsPreliminary reports suggest that the helicopter (Tail Number CG 863) went into the sea nose-down. The aircraft belonged to the 835 Squadron of the Coast Guard, based in Porbandar. The Coast Guards internal communication emphasized the urgency of the safety inspection, stating that the checks must be completed before any further operations.The inspection will include extensive checks on several critical components, including the main drive flexible shaft, rotor assemblies, control systems, and tail rotor blades.Historical Context and Safety ConcernsThis incident occurs in the wake of a significant safety upgrade for the militarys ALH fleet, which was initiated by HAL after a series of accidents last year. The fleet had been grounded multiple times due to concerns about its safety record, particularly related to design issues with the helicopters booster control rods.The upgrade involved replacing the original aluminum control rods with steel ones to enhance durability and safety. Despite these improvements, the Dhruv fleet has been involved in at least 13 accidents over the past five years, prompting ongoing scrutiny and safety measures.
