DGCA begins probe into chopper crash

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun a probe into the chopper crash which claimed the lives of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and four others.

"DGCA has begun comprehensive investigations into the crash to find out the causes. But preliminary reports say that the helicopter may have run into bad weather," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters here.

Expressing grief at the death of Reddy and others, he said the Chief Minister was "a wonderful human being and the country has lost a great leader."

He said the twin-engine Bell-430 aircraft had airworthiness certifications valid till December next year while the two pilots, who also died, were certified and had long experience in helicopter operations.

"There was no indication of a snag or shortcoming through out the flight," the minister said, adding that the ill-fated chopper had a weather radar and was technically capable of flying in blind conditions as well. However, since the chopper was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) instead of being instrument-guided, "it is for the pilot to take a decision," Patel said, adding it was for the inquiry to take a final view on the matter.