Chetak crash: Instructor guilty

The investigation team probing the accident involving a Chetak helicopter on August 2010 has criticised the HAL Rotary Wing Academy and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). KL Meena, regional controller of air safety, in his report — Accident to HAL Rotary Wing Academy, Chetak Helicopter (VT-EIV) — recommended action against the academy, the owner of the ill-fated chopper.

“Action as deemed fit may be taken against the organisation (academy) for not having an approved training and procedures manual for imparting flying training to students and not keeping the required performa for carrying out the skill test/proficiency checks of their pilots, said the report.

The report stated that there is no system with the regulatory authority for monitoring of pilots holding authorisation under rule 160, to check their medicals, renewals and other required checks. The report said DGCA examiners should be familiar with the latest requirements of regulatory authority while conducting the skill test/proficiency check.

On August 27, 2010, a Chetak helicopter flown by Air Commodore (Retd) Roy Asxey and trainee pilot Veerendra Singh crashed at HAL airport. The duo was injured in the accident.
The probable cause of the accident was sudden pitch up during hiver (sic) due to improper handling of controls by the instructor, which resulted in tail rotor hitting the ground.

Further, the report recommends action against the instructor for not taking action and not following proper emergency procedures.