‘Reliable’ Bell rings alarm bells

Hyderabad: Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was travelling in the State-owned Bell 430 helicopter which went missing in the Nallamala forests in Kurnool district this morning. The Chief Minister had to use the old helicopter as the State-of-the-art Agusta Westland (AW-130) helicopter acquired by the State Government for his use was reportedly under repair.
The Bell 430, like most helicopters used by VVIPs in India, is a six-seater.
With two seats in the front for the pilot and co-pilot, it can accommodate only four others including Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The State Government had acquired it for the use of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 20 crore in 1998.
The Bell-430 chopper has four blades and a composite main rotor comprising two Rolls-Royce 250-C40B turboshaft engines. In the event of a failure, the helicopter can operate with a single engine. The fuel system is rupture resistant and is equipped with self-sealing breakaway safety fitting units.
03/09/09 ExpressBuzz

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2009, Safety Sep 2009