Dhruv crash to hit HAL’s fortunes

Ecuador on Tuesday suspended use of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Dhruv helicopters after one of the aircrafts crashed during a military parade in Ecuadorean capital Quito.

The advanced light helicopter (ALH) was flying in formation with two other choppers during the 89th anniversary celebrations of the Ecuadorean Armed forces when it suddenly veered off course and slammed to the ground. The helicopter was completely destroyed.

According to local media reports, the helicopter caught fire and crashed. Another report said the accident happened when its pilot tried an aggressive manoeuvre and lost control. No one was hurt, but the pilots were rushed to Quito’s military hospital.

But the crash is bad news for HAL. The helicopter is one of the seven that Ecuador obtained from India in 2008 for Rs2,140 mn. As a result of the accident, Ecuador has suspended the use of the remaining six Dhruvs, one of them used by Ecuador president Rafael Correa.

“We have not received any formal communication on the crash,” Ashok Naik, chairman of the aircraft and chopper manufacturer, told DNA.

However, sources in Delhi said a three-member HAL team left for Ecuador from Bangalore to investigate the crash.

HAL spokesperson M Anantha Krishnan said a team at the air base for maintenance and engineering of the Dhruvs is looking into the matter.