In a major embarrassment for India, an indigenously developed helicopter that was sold to Ecuador earlier this year crashed at the military day parade of the country, seriously injuring two pilots.

While India is now rushing in experts to probe the cause of the crash —- the helicopter was one of the seven brand new Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), called Dhruv, transferred in February this year — Ecuador has grounded its fleet of the aircraft. Ecuador President Rafael Correa, too, uses the ALH for his travel.

Sources said that while experts are being sent in to Ecuador, the Indian fleet of close to 70 helicopters has not yet been grounded and the Armed Forces are waiting for a more detailed report before taking a call on the matter.

According to reports reaching here, the helicopter was part of a three aircraft formation taking part in the military day parade when it crashed after an apparent fire or malfunction in the tail rotor.

It may be recalled that the ALH fleet had been grounded for several months in 2005 after a similar crash landing in India. The subsequent probe found a fault with the tail rotor blades of the choppers and the parts were replaced.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures the choppers, are keeping a tight lid on the affair but has said that a team is looking into the crash. “We have a team stationed in Ecuador since the choppers were transferred. It is now looking into the reasons behind the crash,” HAL spokesperson Ananth Krishnan told this newspaper.

... contd.