The Hindu Business Line : Dhruv copters to resume flying soon

Soon after the incident, the defence PSU had asked its customers — mainly IAF, Coast Guard and ONGC — to suspend flights of the indigenously designed and developed Dhruv helicopters until the snag had been analysed.

However, two of these helicopters are already flying at HAL. IAF also has the world's first helicopter display team, Sarang, made up of ALHs.

"Examinations are expected to be completed shortly. Flying by customers will recommence very soon," HAL said in a release.

"As is well known in the aeronautical world, tail rotors of several new entrants in the world helicopter market have given initial trouble. Several new helicopters from reputed manufacturers have also faced this problem. In fact, new helicopter programmes often get stretched due to these," the release said.

The tail rotor blade of ALH, it said, was of sound design and had been tested extensively over 12,000 hours of flying.

The blades of the helicopter involved in the mishap belong to a particular batch of blades, which are not in service with customers as yet, but are in accordance with international aeronautical norms.

According to HAL, Dhruv "is an excellent performer in multi-mission-multi-role operations." It had undergone extensive trials during the design and development phase in most demanding conditions, besides flying 2,000 hours to meet the exacting flight certification standards of CEMILAC and DGCA.

On the flip side, the Hyderabad incident, in which the pilot managed to land without casualties, proved the safety features of the aircraft including crash-worthiness and ease of handling emergency procedures, it said.