Saturday, February 03, 2007
In the run-up to the upcoming international air show next week, the Indian Air Force (IAF) suffered a setback Friday when one of its choppers crashed, killing its co-pilot and injuring the pilot commanding it during an aerobatic rehearsal near here.
An IAF spokesman said that co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma succumbed to severe injuries at the air force command hospital in the city, while lead pilot Wing Commander V. Jetley is still in the hospital under observation for head injuries.
The tragic incident took place at Yelahanka base, about 20km from here, around 10 am, when an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), constituting the Sarang team, crashed while on an exercise over the western part of the runaway with the other three in a formation.
According to eye witnesses in the vicinity, the incident occurred when the ill-fated copter veered off its course while performing a 'scissors' exercise, which involves two aircraft crossing over each other at a close distance from the opposite direction.
The Sarang team, which participates in major air shows held in India and overseas, showcases the prowess of Dhruv, designed, developed and manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
02/02/07 India eNews.com
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An IAF spokesman said that co-pilot Squadron Leader Priye Sharma succumbed to severe injuries at the air force command hospital in the city, while lead pilot Wing Commander V. Jetley is still in the hospital under observation for head injuries.
The tragic incident took place at Yelahanka base, about 20km from here, around 10 am, when an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), constituting the Sarang team, crashed while on an exercise over the western part of the runaway with the other three in a formation.
According to eye witnesses in the vicinity, the incident occurred when the ill-fated copter veered off its course while performing a 'scissors' exercise, which involves two aircraft crossing over each other at a close distance from the opposite direction.
The Sarang team, which participates in major air shows held in India and overseas, showcases the prowess of Dhruv, designed, developed and manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).
02/02/07 India eNews.com
Labels: accident, ALH, IAF, India, sarang
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