21-Dec-2012Source: Dynamatic Technologies
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. Company (NYSE: TXT), has signed a Memo of Understanding (MoU) with Dynamatic Technologies to explore establishing Dynamatic® as a sub-contractor for its Bell 407 Air Frame Cabin Assembly, Air Frame Component and Details. The estimated business volume of the work proposed is approximately $243 million USD over a ten year... Read more
19-Dec-2012Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer of helicopters, has delivered another consignment of Mi-17V-5 helicopters to India as part of a contract signed by Rosoboronexport and India’s Ministry of Defence in 2008. The helicopters were built by Kazan Helicopter Plant, a Russian Helicopters company. The final... Read more
19-Dec-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Pawan Hans has revealed plans to expand its helicopter services in Uttar Pradesh, with continued focus on passengers with pilgrimage and religious interests. The Indian operator has already launched a daily helicopter service between New Delhi and Vrindavan in Mathura district and is planning to serve the Buddhist Circuit spread over Eastern Uttar Pradesh and... Read more
17-Dec-2012
Destroyed in hangar fire – which also affected five trainer aircraft operated by Andhra Pradesh Aviation Academy. The helicopter had a total of 970 hours on the airframe according to this report.... Read more
28-Nov-2012Source: NetIndian
Pawan Hans Helicopters today launches a daily helicopter service from Vrindavan to Delhi . The first flight departs at 13.30 local time, 0800 GMT. (see full story)... Read more
1-Nov-2012
India reportedly will enter into negotiations with Boeing of the United States for acquisition of 15 CH-47D Chinook helicopters. (see full story)... Read more
29-Oct-2012Source: Indian Express
Along with training, Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited (PHHL) reportedly has plans to provide helicopter connectivity to nearby destinations. (see full story)... Read more
24-Oct-2012
Lockheed Martin said it may offer India a mixed helicopter offering as it competes for an order for more than $2 billion worth of maritime aircraft. (see full story)... Read more
22-Oct-2012Source: Reuters
In an emailed statement, Swiss authorities said they had asked magistrates to arrest an Italian-U.S. citizen on allegations of money laundering and corruption in connection with the supply of helicopters to India by an Italian state-owned company. (see full story)... Read more
22-Oct-2012Source: Times of India
Indian government seems to be dragging its feet in fast-tracking helicopter acquisition projects, several of which are stuck in the long-winded defence procurement process or in the debilitating cycle of complaints and counter-complaints. (see full story)... Read more
18-Oct-2012
Finmeccanica Chairman and CEO Giuseppe Orsi has no intention of resigning, his lawyer said on Monday after media reports at the weekend over allegations concerning the Indian AgustaWestland VIP AW101 contract (see full story)... Read more
15-Oct-2012
Crashed on take off from INS Hansa (nr Dabolim) after refuelling en route Mumbai to Bangalore. Post crash fire. Another report says landing accident, not take-off... Read more
5-Oct-2012
Safe emergency landing in field due to technical issue. No damage to helicopter or POB... Read more
3-Oct-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Times of India is reporting that the tender for 16 helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard has been stopped. With just two manufacturers bidding – local HAL with the Dhruv and Eurocopter with the AS565MB Panther – the defence ministry has reportedly found the Panther to be non-compliant in some aspects of the tender... Read more
23-Sep-2012Source: ZeeNews
Indian helicopter operators have asked the government to take urgent steps to rationalise taxes on import of spares and jet fuel, and lower airport charges to enable the sector to grow. (see full story)... Read more
30-Aug-2012
Two Mi-17 helicopters hit each other on take off on a training mission from an air base near the village of Sarmat in Jamnagar district of Gujarat state. 9 killed, assumed currently as 4 in one helicopter and 5 in the other. One helicopter caught fire and completely burned out, the other did not –... Read more
30-Aug-2012
Two Mi-17 helicopters hit each other on take off on a training mission from an air base near the village of Sarmat in Jamnagar district of Gujarat state. 9 killed, assumed currently as 4 in one helicopter and 5 in the other. One helicopter caught fire and completely burned out, the other did not –... Read more
29-Aug-2012
Helicopter landed with considerable forward speed and cartwheeled over its nose on landing – indicating skids possible dug into ground. Helicopter destroyed but all 5 POB (including spiritual leader Asaram Bapu) safely exited with only minor injuries... Read more
31-Jul-2012Source: HeliHub.com
State-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters has recently resumed its services in the mountainous Meghalaya state after a gap of 15 months, it has been announced. The move follows its selection in a bid process to run the air service in the state, according to state Transport Minister Abu Taher Mondal, who later admitted that the other... Read more
24-Jul-2012Source: HAL
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) organized a Global Business Partners’ Meet of its vendors here on Saturday to apprise them of recent changes within HAL to speed up the process of procurement and make suppliers aware of various procedures, statutory requirements and adherence to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines. Eighty three vendors, 26 foreign and 57... Read more
23-Jul-2012Source: Global Vectra
Global Vectra Helicorp Limited (GVHL) is India’s largest private helicopter company, providing offshore transportation services to the oil and gas sector and, through its onshore division, charter and airport shuttle services throughout the country. On 7 May 2012, following a decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil... Read more
29-Jun-2012Source: Deccan Chronicle
Anil Srivastava, currently the joint director-general of civil aviation, was also appointed the Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans as an additional charge a few weeks ago by the civil aviation ministry. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has now ordered the civil aviation ministry to hand over the role to someone else due... Read more
11-Jun-2012Source: HAL
Bangalore, June 11, 2012: The Expert Group on “Restructuring and Strengthening of HAL†under the leadership of Mr. B. K. Chaturvedi, former Cabinet Secretary and Member, Planning Commission visited various facilities of HAL. The Group held discussions with Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, Directors and senior executives of HAL. The Expert Group will look into issues such... Read more
7-Jun-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Helicopter pilots in India have appealed to the local aviation authority (DGCA) with a call for them to undertake auditing of helipads, particularly those on offshore rigs. Such audits are currently rare in India. Earlier this week, DGCA chief E.K. Bharat Bhushan met members of the Rotary Wing Society of India, the Oil and Natural... Read more
4-Jun-2012
Emergency landing after engine failure. 14 POB... Read more
1-Jun-2012Source: New Kerala
Pawan Hans plans to connect Vrindavan and Mathura with New Delhi considering the high potential of religious tourism of the two cities. It is also mulling linking Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Mathura and Agra to Delhi. (see full story)... Read more
31-May-2012Source: Times of India
Funds will not be a constraint to buy a new helicopter. “The department has to make budgetary provision for it. I don’t think that fund will be a constraint,” state finance secretary Sukhdev Singh said. (See full story) The accident referred to in the story can be viewed in more detail at 09-May-12 VT-VKS Agusta... Read more
30-May-2012Source: Greater Kashmir
First report we have seen of a Global Vectra contract being reassigned to another operator since their grounding by Indian authorities (see full story)... Read more
30-May-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today India’s Director General of Civil Aviation has joined the growing number of countries who have approved the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429 based on Transport Canada’s certification. India is the tenth country to approve the 500 lb. increase to 7,500 lbs. Transport... Read more
25-May-2012Source: News Track India
A director and a shareholder of Global Vectra Helicorp, the aviation arm of the Ravi Rishi-led Vectra Group, Thursday moved the Delhi High Court against the suspension of its permit to fly choppers.  The court is already hearing the plea of Global Vectra Helicorp against the DGCA’s order. (see full story) ... Read more
23-May-2012
Crashed, killing pilot Major Chandrashekhar Singh, shortly after dropping off supplies at a helipad in the Himalayas at an altitude of 19,685ft... Read more
17-May-2012Source: Defense World
NHI Industries lists out 10 instances where the S70B could not have met the Naval Staff Quality Requirements (NSQRs). These include requirements for internal/external tanks, fuel reserve, sonar, health and usage monitoring system, deck lock and technical literature. (see full story)... Read more
9-May-2012Source: HeliHub.com
This news item is part of the accident data provided by HeliHub.com on this site. Information provided in this update may potentially be incomplete or inaccurate as we frequently post these stories only a very short time after the accident has occurred. Users of HeliHub.com are advised to carry out their own checks and searches,... Read more
9-May-2012
Crash landed at Ranchi Airport due to tail rotor problems. Local reports suggest that pilot made a high speed landing on wheels and the helicopter then turned over up to six times as a result of this landing. However, it meant that all survived and the 6 POB have already been declared “out of danger”... Read more
8-May-2012Source: IBN
The Indian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Defence has tabled a report showing the Army faces a shortage of 18 Cheetah, one Chetak, 76 Advance Light Helicopter and 60 armed Advance Light Helicopters. (read full story)... Read more
7-May-2012Source: Zee News
The cancellation of security clearance of Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd is likely to create trouble for those willing to avail chopper services during the pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine since it is the peak season.  (see full story) Separately, this may impact offshore operations of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Gujarat State Petroleum... Read more
3-May-2012Source: Kaman
aman Aerospace Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN - News) and Kineco Private Limitedtoday announced that they have entered into an agreement to form a manufacturing company in India. The venture will be based in Goa and will manufacture advanced composite structures for aerospace, medical and other industries. Gregory L. Steiner, President of Kaman Aerospace Group, commented, “This is a... Read more
27-Apr-2012Source: ARGUS International
Professional Resources In System Management, LLC (PRISM) is pleased to report the completion of a three-day Safety Management System (SMS) course in conjunction with the Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI). The course took place in New Delhi, India and focused on the Four Pillars of SMS, safety culture, just culture, decision making, SMS risk... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: Indian Express
Italy probes 51 m Euro ‘payoff’ to agent Guido Haschke for VVIP AW101 deal with India – the 62-year-old consultant is believed to have dual citizenship of Switzerland and the US (see full story)... Read more
24-Apr-2012Source: Finmeccanica
With reference to the articles published in the last few days by some newspapers – and with particular reference to the circumstances that have associated the names of Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland with those of Valter Lavitola, the Hon. Marco Reguzzoni and events in India – the Finmeccanica Group, while fully respecting the work of the... Read more
20-Apr-2012Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today it has opened a new office in New Delhi for all of its operations in India. “Bell Helicopter is investing in India. We believe there are tremendous growth opportunities in terms of sales and manufacturing. This is an important day for Bell Helicopter as we... Read more
18-Apr-2012Source: HeliHub.com
A local press article suggests that the Police in the city of Mumbai could be the first to go airborne, but it is not clear whether the proposed helicopter would be available throughout the state of Maharastra or not. Mumbai has a population of over 12 million at a staggering density of over 50,000 per... Read more
18-Apr-2012Source: HAL
To have an on the spot reality check on the capabilities and expertise of HAL in designing, production, repair, overhaul and upgrade of Aircraft, Helicopters, Aero-engines, Accessories, Avionics and Systems, a fifteen member delegation of parliamentary consultative committee consisting MPs of both houses, have paid a visit to HAL on 10th & 11th April 2012.... Read more
16-Apr-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-92® “Legacy of Heroes†(LOH) demonstration helicopter will visit Mumbai this week, hosting customers and recognizing local heroes while the aircraft is at Juhu Airport until April 20. The aircraft recently began the India leg of its worldwide tour with activities over the last three weeks in Chennai, Bangaluru, Hyderabad and New Delhi. Sikorsky... Read more
15-Apr-2012
The Indian press continue to have AgustaWestland in their firing line over the order for twelve VVIP helicopters which they won with the VVIP. Now the Express quotes an un-named Sikorsky official saying  “There’s enough conclusive evidence. Let the law take its own course. The ministry has ordered a probe and the law of the... Read more
15-Apr-2012
Emergency landing after door (possibly of cargo compartment, reports differ) opened on take 0ff.  Passengers included Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and home minister Uma Shankar Gupta... Read more
12-Apr-2012
Helicopter on training flight made emergency landing on roof of apartment block, ending up on its side. The two occupants of the helicopter were unhurt. A HAL press release named them as Air Commodore (Retd) Roj Assey alongwith trainee Capt Digvijay Singh... Read more
10-Apr-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-92® “Legacy of Heroes†(LOH) demonstration helicopter will visit New Delhi this week, hosting customers and recognizing local heroes while the aircraft is at Indira Gandhi International airport until April 12. The aircraft recently began the India leg of its worldwide tour with activities over the last two weeks in Chennai, Bangaluru and Hyderabad. Sikorsky is... Read more
5-Apr-2012
Maoist rebels shot at helicopter (which was on an EMS flight evacuating two injuried people). Bullet holes confirmed on landing... Read more
28-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter
The capabilities of Eurocopter’s helicopter product line to fulfill a full range of mission requirements for the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard will be spotlighted at this month’s Defexpo 2012 exposition in New Delhi. Eurocopter’s presence at the Pragati Maidan exhibition center (Hall 11, Stand 11.4) is to include scale models of... Read more
28-Mar-2012Source: Sikorsky
In a second ceremony in as many days, Sikorsky’s S-92® Legacy of Heroes (LOH) tour and United Way Bengaluru today honored veterans and children who have performed acts of bravery in saving lives. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX). United Way Bengaluru is affiliated to United Way Worldwide. The Legacy of Heroes tour celebrates the exemplary and heroic... Read more
27-Mar-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-92® “Legacy of Heroesâ€Â (LOH) demonstration helicopter today commenced the India leg of its worldwide tour. The helicopter will appear on display at Chennai’s Meenambakkam Airport on March 26 and 27. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The Legacy of Heroes tour has been logging an exciting journey for Sikorsky. At each stop, visitors to... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky’s S-92® Legacy of Heroes (LOH) demonstration helicopter will be shown on static display across five cities in India beginning March 20. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) The Legacy of Heroes tour to India follows a series of successful global visits where customers and community residents welcomed the aircraft and celebrated... Read more
20-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter India, a subsidiary of Eurocopter, announced its first bookings in India for 2012. Comprising light and medium class helicopters, the bookings included an AS350 B3e, an EC135 and an EC155. Signed against the backdrop of India Aviation 2012 in Hyderabad, these helicopters will be delivered in corporate configuration within this year. With four out... Read more
15-Mar-2012Source: AgustaWestland
Indian Rotorcraft is pleased to announce that a ground breaking ceremony was held today at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility and a new step in the development of the Indian aerospace industry. The ground breaking ceremony was conducted in the presence of Mr. Ratan... Read more
14-Mar-2012Source: Shephard media
Following the success of the inaugural UV India event 2011 produced by Shephard media and Indian Military Review we are pleased to announce that CybAero AB have confirmed their support as a sponsor and speaker for UV India 2012. The 2011 event, held in New Delhi drew a large number of participants to both the conference and exhibition. Speakers... Read more
14-Mar-2012Source: Eurocopter India
Eurocopter India delivered a strong performance during the first year of operation as a full-fledged Eurocopter subsidiary, leading the market with 65 percent of new aircraft deliveries in 2011. It has set its sights on meeting new milestones in the evolution of India’s civil and parapublic helicopter market, and is expanding its support and services... Read more
5-Mar-2012Source: HAL
Shri R.K. Tyagi has taken over as Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL), today. Previously, he was Chairman and Managing Director of Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd.(since May 2007). He is an Engineering Graduate in Electronics and Telecommunication (1975) from IIT Roorkee and also possesses a Degree of Master in Business Administration. Subsequently, he has also attended... Read more
26-Feb-2012Source: HeliHub.com
The Indian Defence Minister, A K Antony, is reported in local newspaper The Times of India as having asked his ministry officials to investigate Italian media reports alleging corrupt and unethical practices by Finmeccanica, in the light of deliveries of their 12 VVIP AW101s due to start later this autumn. Separately, the Indian Express reports... Read more
26-Feb-2012
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and American firm Sikorsky are planning to develop Hyderabad as the major hub for producing their S-92 Superhawk helicopters by the end of 2013. (see full story)... Read more
22-Feb-2012
A big controversy has hit the acquisition of 16 Multi-Role Helicopters for the Indian Navy, a deal estimated to be worth around $1 billion, with the Indian Navy accusing European vendor NH Industries of trying to “mislead†the defence ministry, “twist†the Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQRs), “falsify†the RFP and cause delays with “unreasonable... Read more
20-Feb-2012
Expressing “concern” over delays in finalising the deal for procuring 197 light helicopters for the defence forces, European defence major Eurocopter has written a letter to Army chief Gen V K Singh in that regard.  The European Eurocopter AS 350 Fennec is competing with Russian Kamov 226 ‘Sergei’ for supplying these choppers to the Indian... Read more
17-Feb-2012Source: Press Information Bureau
Mi-17 V5 helicopter would be inducted into the IAF on 17 February 2012. This helicopter falls in the category of armed helicopter, with substantial and effective firepower with the latest and more powerful engines that will greatly enhance its payload carriage capability at higher altitudes. Mi-17 V5, an upgrade of Mi-17 in the medium -lift... Read more
13-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
The Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF), the joint venture owned equally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and CAE, today announced the appointment of Major General (Ret’d) Ajit Hari Gadre as Chief Executive Officer of HATSOFF. “I am pleased to join an organization established by HAL and CAE, two of the world’s... Read more
6-Feb-2012Source: OneIndia
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to buy six Mi-17V-5 helicopters from Russia to assist its forces engaged in internal security duties, including anti-Naxal operations. The decision came days after the Ministry’s entire fleet of indigenous Dhruv helicopters was grounded following a series of mishaps. (see full story)... Read more
1-Feb-2012Source: HAL
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, HAL, Helicopter Division handed over a colour Television set, blankets, mattresses and bed spreads to the residents of Gandhi Home for the Aged, Channarayapatna, on Thursday. General Manager, Helicopter Division, Sri M S Srinath handed over the items to the residents of the Old Age Home... Read more
18-Jan-2012Source: IBN
Hit by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s findings into the 2010 August Chetak crash, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) launched a strong defence terming some of the comments as “incorrectâ€. (see full story)... Read more
15-Jan-2012
Heavily damaged after crashing from 100ft altitude on take off on a test flight. Pilot P D Tiwari, Co-pilot also named as P D Tiwari, and technicians Anand Bharti, Pankaj Pal and Subroto Chandra... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: CAE
The Helicopter Academy to Train by Simulation of Flying (HATSOFF), the joint venture owned equally by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and CAE, today announced that its simulator cockpit for the Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin helicopter has been certified to Level D, the highest qualification for flight simulators, by India’s Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) as... Read more
12-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Global Vectra Helicorp has announced that Ravinder Kumar Rishi, director of the company has resigned with effect from 05 December 2011. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com... Read more
30-Dec-2011Source: Sikorsky
US aircraft major Sikorsky Friday delivered a mid-sized commercial utility aircraft to the Maharashtra government for transporting senior state leaders and bureaucrats. “The helicopter’s versatility, reliability, safety and operating cost efficiencies make it ideally suited for transportation of senior leaders, including heads of state,” a Sikorsky statement said. The S-76C++ joins a growing fleet of... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: Defense World
NHI Industries, one of the two bidders in the race for the US$1.2 billion Indian Navy Multi Role Helicopter contract, claims that rival Sikorsky’s S70B does not meet a number of parameters as outlined in the Request for Proposal (see full story)... Read more
27-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
New Delhi tourism officials have agreed in principle to work with Pawan Hans to offer sightseeing rides around the Indian capital New Delhi and are considering widening out to the neighbouring states as well. Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) chairman Manish Chatrath said “We like the idea. It will be an added attraction... Read more
20-Dec-2011Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/fire-department-seeks-chopper-for-emergencies/212023-60-119.html
The State Fire and Emergency Department will soon send a proposal to the state government requesting for a helicopter, exclusively during times of major fire disasters. (see full story)... Read more
15-Dec-2011Source: HeliHub.com
India’s aviation safety regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has grounded two Pawan Hans pilots pending an inquiry into an alleged safety lapse. The pilots were ferrying three oil workers on 10th December and made an unscheduled landing after realising when already airborne that a door of the helicopter was not securely shut. Having... Read more
