Bangalore, Oct 30 (IANS) State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) rushed a three-member team to Ecuador for joining the probe into the crash of its advanced light helicopter Dhruv, bought by the Ecuadorian Air Force (EAF) early this year, the defence behemoth said Friday.
“A three-member team of specialists, including our chief test pilot, is on the way to Ecuador to assist investigators into the causes of the Dhruv crash Tuesday (Oct 27) during a military parade near Quito,” the company said in a statement here.

The Dhruv crashed when it was flying in formation with two other choppers over an air force base when it suddenly veered off course and slammed to the ground.

According to Ecuadorian Air Force General Leonardo Barreiro, the two crew members bailed out with minor injuries, though the chopper was destroyed in the mishap.

The crew was trained in India by HAL test pilots.

The EAF, which bought six Dhruv copters from HAL for $45 million, grounded the entire fleet pending investigation into the crash.

HAL has based a team of engineers in Quito to provide maintenance support to the Dhruv fleet of EAF.

“Dhruv has been designed and manufactured with advanced technologies. The helicopter has safety features such as twin engines, dual flight control, redundancy in critical systems, self sealing fuel tanks, modern fire protection devices and a structure designed to ensure crashworthiness,” the statement noted.

Ecuadorian pilots, who had undergone flying training on Dhruv in India and Ecuador, were satisfied with the handling qualities, advanced avionics and safety features of the chopper.

“It appears from the reported statements that the chopper may have been maneuvered excessively. The built-in safety features have protected both the pilots without major injuries,” the statement added.