Watch: IAF helicopter makes emergency landing in Prayagraj after technical snag

A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made a precautionary landing in Holagarh near Prayagraj following a technical snag. The chopper was on a routine training mission on Saturday when it experienced a technical glitch, prompting the pilot to make the landing as a safety measure to ensure the well-being of those on board, reports said.

The Indian Air Force, according to news agency ANI, stated that after receiving the required technical support, the helicopter was sent back to the base. “One Chetak helicopter of the IAF, on a routine training mission carried out a safe precautionary landing at 1040h at Holagadh near Prayagraj. No harm or injuries were reported. The helicopter has been flown back to base after providing necessary technical assistance,” the Central Air Command, in a statement, said.

In a similar incident on October 1, an Indian Air Force helicopter made a precautionary landing near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, according to India Today. The ALH Dhruv encountered a technical glitch, prompting the emergency landing. The crew members were unharmed, and a specialised team was en route to assess and rectify the technical issues.

According to the Indian Air Force statement, the ALH MK III helicopter, engaged in a routine training mission from Bhopal to Chakeri, safely landed 50 km from Bhopal Airport, near the Dungariya dam. No injuries were reported, and technical support was provided to the helicopter.

Chetak is the oldest helicopter of the Indian Air Force. Introduced in 1962, the IAF initially inducted French-origin helicopters known as Alouette III. The first license-produced Chetak (Alouette III) was delivered to the IAF by state-run planemaker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in 1965. According to Hindustan Times, the final Chetak helicopter was handed over to the Air Force by HAL in March 2021.

With a maximum speed of 185 kmph and a range of 500 km, the Chetak, a two-tonne helicopter, is equipped to carry seven people, including two pilots. Despite its age, it has been a workhorse for all three military services and the Coast Guard.

However, recent crashes have raised concerns about its safety. Consequently, plans are in motion to replace the ageing Chetak helicopter, along with the Cheetah helicopter fleet operated by the air force and the army, a report in Hindustan Times said.