Arunachal Chopper Crash: Defence carrying out joint search operations to retrieve mortal remains of missing personnel

An Indian Army Aviation Advance Light Helicopter (Weapon Systems Integrated) - ALH WSI based at Likabali (Assam) crashed at general area Migging, South of Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh, on October 21, 2022.

Immediate joint search operations with teams from the Army and Airforce located the crash site, where the terrain is extremely challenging in terms of hills with steep gradients and thick jungle.

There were five personnel on-board when the mishap took place. Four mortal remains have been retrieved by late evening of 21 October 2022. As per latest reports, efforts are on to retrieve the fifth mortal remains. 

It is reported that the weather was good for flying operations. The pilots had more than 600 combined flying hours on ALH-WSI  and over 1800 service flying hours between them. The aircraft was inducted into service in June 2015.

Prior to the crash, the Air Traffic Control (ATC) had received a MAY DAY call suggesting a technical or mechanical failure. 

This will form the focus of the Court of Inquiry, which has been immediately constituted to investigate the cause of the accident.

Names of personnel will be released after notification to the next of kin. 

The Indian Army has offered deepest condolences & stands firmly with the bereaved families.

Earlier on October 5, an Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Tawang area in Arunachal Pradesh. 
Notably, as per preliminary reports, one pilot identified as Lt Col Saurabh Yadav lost his life in the accident.

As per reports, an army aviation Cheetah helicopter flying in the forward area near Tawang crashed on 05 October (today) at around 10:00 AM during a routine sortie. 

Both the pilots were evacuated to the nearest Military Hospital. 
It is to be mentioned here that, Lt Col Saurabh Yadav, who was critically injured succumbed to the injuries during treatment.