A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Navy that was taxiing through the runway of the Naval airport at Willingdon Island near Kochi on November 4 noon suffered a technical snag and lost balance, resulting in the death of a ground crew, it is learnt.
The helicopter operated from INS Garuda, the Naval air station next to the Southern Naval Command (SNC) in Kochi. Yet another ground crew and the two pilots on board escaped with injuries. They have been admitted to INHS Sanjivani, the Naval Hospital at the SNC premises.
The dead personnel has been identified by the Navy as Yogendra Singh, Leading Air Mechanic (LAM). He died after reportedly being hit by the helicopter’s rotor blade.
