Statement from Directorate General of Civil Aviation on the missing helicopter of Govt of Andhra Pradesh

The following is the statement from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the missing helicopter of Government of Andhra Pradesh:
‘Information received from ATC Hyderabad that Government of Andhra Pradesh Bell 430 Helicopter VT-APG went missing while operating flight Hyderabad-Chitoor on 2 Sep 2009. It took off uneventfully from Begumpet Airport Hyderabad at approx 0838 hrs IST. The helicopter was under the command of Capt S K Bhatia, CHPL 714 and co-pilot Capt M S Reddy CHPL883. Capt S K Bhatia was endorsed with the type Bell 430 in Jun 2007 and Capt M S Reddy in Jan 2009. Capt S K Bhatia had flying experience of more than 5600 Hrs and Capt M S Reddy had more than 3200 hrs of flying experience. There were five persons on board the helicopter including Hon’ble CM of Andhra Pradesh.
As per the information received from ATC Hyderabad, the helicopter had fuel for a maximum endurance of 2:45 Hrs. After taking off at 0838 Hrs IST, it remained in contact up to 0913 Hrs IST with Hyderabad Radar at 168 degree, 79 NM from Hyderabad.
The helicopter was in possession with a valid Certificate of Airworthiness No. 2390 with its validity up to 05.12.2010. It had flown for 2812:20 Hrs since new and 325:10 Hrs from last C of A. The aircraft is fitted with the ELT which operates at frequency 121.5 and 243 MHz.
It was to change over to Chennai at 0913 Hrs IST, however it lost the contact there after from either places.
Search and Rescue operation, is a statutory responsibility of Airports Authority of India, was initiated at Search and Rescue centre Chennai and sub centre Hyderabad after it was declared missing. The details are as:
• Two helicopters took off from Hyderabad to Karnool for Search and Rescue (SAR) at 1315 Hrs at an altitude AGL 2000’. Both the helicopters returned back after flying for 40 NM from Hyderabad due to bad weather enroute.
• One helicopter was sent from Krishnapatanam to Chitoor for SAR and returned back to Tirupati due bad weather.
• Another helicopter was sent from Yehlanka to Karnool.
• One more helicopter was sent from Tirupati to Pakkala on SAR mission at 1612 IST.
• Another helicopter flew toward Kaddapa for SAR mission.
So far no significant out come has been achieved.
02/09/09 Press Information Bureau

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