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A precautionary landing was carried out on Sunday by an Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopter on an open field close to Barnala, Punjab. The event was attributed to a “technical snag” that happened amid an ordinary flight sortie.
The crew and the aircraft are said to be uninjured and the helicopter, which was on a normal assignment, safely touched down, according to the local authorities. An Air Force recovery team arrived at the scene quickly to evaluate the situation and take the required action.
The Indian Air Force has declared an official investigation to ascertain the incident’s underlying cause, as the source of the technical problem is yet unknown.
Salil Hupte, the chief of Boeing’s operations in India, guaranteed that the problems encountered by the Indian Air Force’s Chinook fleet in 2022 are not shared by the US Army’s Chinook fleet. Engine fires had forced the US Army to stop its Chinook helicopters at that time. In particular, Hupte stressed that “no impact on the helicopter operated by the Indian forces.”
Since its official introduction in 2019 at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, Chinook helicopters have been an essential component of the Indian Air Force’s fleet. The next year saw the delivery of the final 11 helicopters. With one unit stationed in Chandigarh for operations in the north and another in Assam to service the northeastern territories, the fleet is positioned strategically.
Chinook helicopters, which are known for having tandem rotors, are heavy-lifting aircraft that are essential for humanitarian relief and strategic airlift. Even in high-altitude areas, this design’s improved stability, control, and agility make it a popular option for moving soldiers and large loads.
Tanks, relief supplies, and artillery can all be transported in underslung operations by the Chinook. The tandem rotor design reduces the possibility of collisions brought on by uncontrollably spinning blades and eliminates the requirement for a tail rotor, improving overall efficiency.
Boeing, the company that makes Chinook helicopters, has communicated with the Indian Air Force about suspending the US Army’s fleet of Chinooks in 2022. The Indian Air Force is still confident in the reliability and security of its Chinook helicopters, nevertheless.
