IAF copter makes ‘hard landing’ in Ladakh; pilots safe

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 7

Three pilots of the Indian Air Force had a narrow escape when the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III, in which they were travelling on Monday made a ‘hard landing’ at a forward location near Daulat Baig Oldie on the Depsang plains in Northern Ladakh, abutting China.

 ‘Hard landing’ is a phrase used in military aviation to describe an uncontrolled landing from very low altitude.  

The Copter was on a sortie with two pilots flying it and another pilot travelling in it as passenger. All are safe except for a few minor injuries and bruises. The Copter is produced by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and uses the French Turbomeca engines.

A Court of Inquiry had been ordered.