IAF grounds fleet of 40 ALH Dhruv choppers after Sitapur crash

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force has grounded its fleet of around 40 indigenously-developed ALH Dhruv helicopters in view of the recent crash in which seven of its personnel were killed.

The ALH Dhruv choppers in IAF fleet will not fly till thorough checks are carried out on them, IAF sources said on Sunday. The Army, which uses the Advanced Light Helicopters for its high altitude operations is also learnt to have taken similar precautions before allowing its pilots to fly them. Meanwhile, the black box of the chopper, which had taken off from Bareilly and crashed after losing radio and radar contact with ground stations while it was on its way to Allahabad, has been sent to Bangalore for detailed examination. A Wing Commander, Squadron Leader, Junior Warrant Officer, Sergeant and an LAC along with two Corporals were killed in the crash in Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh on July 25.