The recovery of the helicopter was underway, according to the IAF statement. (Image source: Local police officials) A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force, which had taken off from Pune, carried out a precautionary landing in an open field in Baramati taluka of Pune district due to a suspected technical issue Thursday, the IAF said, adding the crew and the aircraft were safe.
According to local police officials, the helicopter, which had made the precautionary landing around 10.30 am, took off again around 1 pm after resolution of the technical issue. The landing was carried out at Khandaj village in Baramati taluka, located around 16 km from Baramati town and 110 km from Pune city. IAF sources confirmed the helicopter had taken off from Pune.
Anand Bhoite, additional superintendent of police of the Baramati Division of the Pune rural police, said, “After receiving information about the incident that took place around 10.30 am, a team from local police station, including armed personnel, were deployed at the site and communication was established with the Indian Air Force officials.”
An official from the local police station said, “According to our primary information, there were two helicopters which took off from Pune. One of them had to carry out a precautionary landing in the field at Khadaj village, in the open field owned by a farmer, Hanumant Atole. Presently, there is no standing crop on the field where the helicopter landed. We have been told that there were four occupants in the helicopter. A team from Malegaon police station, including armed personnel along with volunteers of Gram Suraksha Dal were deployed for security and crowd control. The helicopter took off again around 1 pm after resolution of the technical issue.”
The Chetak is a two-ton class helicopter and is powered by Artouste-III B turboshaft engine. The helicopter is suitable for commuting, cargo and material transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), aerial survey and patrolling, emergency medical services, off-shore operations and underslung operations.
The helicopter division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) started manufacturing Chetak helicopters in 1962, by entering an agreement with Sud Aviation, the then French state owned aircraft manufacturer, for production of Alouette III helicopters. Recently, in a ceremony held at Air Force Station, Hakimpet in Hyderabad, the Indian government marked the 60 years of service of HAL Chetak. The HAL has also developed a three-ton class light utility helicopter (LUH), primarily to replace the French origin legacy helicopters Chetak and Cheetah.