RIP Dorjee Khandu

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 01 May 2011 01:40

Chopper carrying CM of Arunachal Pradesh missing

When the first alert of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu’s helicopter going missing was sounded around Saturday noon, it was a déjà vu moment. Just 18 months ago, Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy had died in a chopper mishap under similar circumstances. The cloud of gloom lifted at 2 pm, with reports of an emergency landing in Bhutan, but little did anyone know that the lost-found-lost drama would continue for the rest of the day.
Khandu, 56, accompanied by the sister of Tawang MLA Tsewang Dhondup and a security officer, took off from Tawang, for Itanagar in a Pawan Hans Eurocopter B3 craft at 9.55am in partly cloudy conditions.

A two-member team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation will leave for Arunachal on Sunday. Till late in the evening, no contact had been made with the pilot. Air traffic control at Guwahati airport said they lost contact with the chopper after the last communication from the pilot 20 minutes after take-off.

“The coordinates of the chopper then were near Sela (85 km south of Tawang),” an ATC officer said.

PParty guy is calling it a Chinese assassination

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 01 May 2011 01:53

I heard that Chinese have been practicing their anti-missile system on helicopters and military carrier planes flying on the Indian side.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 01 May 2011 18:34

Arunachal Pradesh CM Dorjee Khandu supporters were warned of 'dire consequences' by christian Naga terrorist NSCN

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2011/ap ... nal-forces

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 03 May 2011 05:07

Sushupti wrote:
Arunachal Pradesh CM Dorjee Khandu supporters were warned of 'dire consequences' by christian Naga terrorist NSCN

http://www.vifindia.org/article/2011/ap ... nal-forces

any new news on the CM?

All the MSMs seem to be chatting only Osama, Osama.

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 03 May 2011 12:24

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 148864.cms

Finally some progress in finding Mr. Dorjee. Yesterday they said they had two possible locations, now seems like they have isolated to one.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 03 May 2011 22:42

Related news video:

Chopper was new:Pawan Hans

I think VIPS shouldnt fly in single engine choppers. Its risky.

vera_k · Post by **vera_k** » 04 May 2011 11:05

Arunachal CM is dead

11:16 AM Helicopter wreckage found in Lobthang:
The body of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, whose Pawan Hans helicopter flight went missing on Saturday morning, has been found, sources said.

The wreckage of the helicopter has been found in Lobthang.

The chief minister was headed to Itanagar from Tawang when the copter lost contact as it approached Sela Pass. '

All the five people on board are reported to be dead.

partha · Post by **partha** » 04 May 2011 11:06

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 04 May 2011 11:50

RIP sir

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 04 May 2011 18:11

RIP

NE minister handique confirmed in a press conference. operation ongoing to recover the bodies and airlift to itanagar. the crash site is a 5-6 hours trek from the nearest helo landing site and that too can only take a small cheetah, which can only remove one body at a time. (OT : perhaps now some people will understand the need for small single engined choppers. many questioned why dhruv didn't replace all single engined choppers) operation would continue through the night unless there is heavy rain.

Klaus · Post by **Klaus** » 04 May 2011 18:17

RIP.
RahulM ji, We are all guilty of being wiser in hindsight. Maybe your point about Dhruv not replacing single-engined choppers for such delicate operations should go into the FAQ thread?

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 04 May 2011 18:33

RIP

Five days after the helicopter that he was using went missing, Arunachal Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has been found dead in Luguthang, near the China border. A government official has identified the Chief Minister's body.

The four other people on board with him - including two pilots and his security officer - have also died. The bodies were found at a height of 4900 metres. The Chief Minister's body will now be moved to Itanagar.

One of the nationalistic CM is no more

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 04 May 2011 20:02

RamaY wrote: PParty guy is calling it a Chinese assassination

by now it should be clear that he is a certified moron.

Sushupti wrote:I heard that Chinese have been practicing their anti-missile system on helicopters and military carrier planes flying on the Indian side.

and I heard that mickey mouse became muslim after hearing azan on the moon. what's the point of posting idiotic conspiracy theories ?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 May 2011 20:11

the answer is better weather monitoring, ground based doppler radars to detect dangerous clouds and stormcells and the bigger helis like Mi172 can perhaps carry some terrain avoidance and blind nav kit also to manage whiteout conditions in low hanging cloudbanks...

operating on a shoestring and a prayer in NE monsoon conditions like we do is clearly likely to result in more such tragedies. the equipment and techiques are available - all it takes is the cash and training.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 04 May 2011 20:15

^

What is the feasibility of forcing such flight paths to follow existing road/rail routes? or fly over key towns/cities. They may not be the shortest routes, but they ensure additional access/security/help-in-need. Just a thought.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 May 2011 20:17

there aint no rails up there. I believe the airlane back to itanagar does follow the road because it mentioned flying over the SeLa pass (SeLa is the highest point on the bomdila to tawang route imho). but the tawang to guwahati airline likely passes over some true 'dark territory' east of the bhutan border. once it leaves the foothills and enters the assam valley the temp climbs, weather clears, lots of people, roads and bundobast...safe again.

pawan hans has a few 20 yr old Dauphins (with mid 80s avionics probably) and a few Mi172 leased helis it looks like....not really MH53 pave low std need to survive NE monsoons and hostile weather flying.

I think its time to mandate:
- atleast 2 engines
- 21s century avionics and terrain avoidance systems
- new network of ground based weather radar and a few C130 weather planes (side benefit is it will also dual-role help the IAF greatly both in peace and war) -

cost - probably a couple billion $ - but it will fill up a long term hole and set the foundation for better deeds.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 04 May 2011 20:21

thanks GD.

It is interesting to note that both YSR and DK's helis crashed in so-called 'dark territories'. Must be a coincidence.

Chandragupta · Post by **Chandragupta** » 04 May 2011 20:28

Bhagwan unki aatma ko shanti de. Om shanti shanti Om.

The Chinese angle should be probed further.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 04 May 2011 22:33

^^ you should get together with bark da hutt sometime. you may not realise it but you two have much in common.

and the great Indian tradition of scoring endless self-goals lives on.

sometimes I get the feeling we really do not deserve to live, we deserve to be kicked mercilessly till we are all dead or the suicidal sector of our brain dries out. even the pakis have more survival spirit than we do.

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 04 May 2011 22:36

May he be freed from the cycle of rebirth.

RajeshA · Post by **RajeshA** » 04 May 2011 22:45

Jai Hind Dorjee Khandu!

Jai Hind! RIP!

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 04 May 2011 22:47

Singha wrote: I think its time to mandate:
- atleast 2 engines
- 21s century avionics and terrain avoidance systems
- new network of ground based weather radar and a few C130 weather planes (side benefit is it will also dual-role help the IAF greatly both in peace and war) -

cost - probably a couple billion $ - but it will fill up a long term hole and set the foundation for better deeds.

Same thoughts Singha-ji.

We should start behaving like a growing power in such aspects of governance. India can afford all these investments.

Those are the systemic lessons I was trying to learn from this incident. Another item
- Send a second chopper as a backup.

Bala Vignesh · Post by **Bala Vignesh** » 04 May 2011 23:09

May you rest in peace, Dorjee Khandu...

RamaYji...
Pray tell, what will be the role of the "back up chopper"???

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 04 May 2011 23:13

There are high-level dignitaries BVji. Assuming these are mechanical failures and so, it might help to have another bird following in proximity to provide immediate help/evacuation. I wonder if two birds with say 500m separation would have same impact in bad weather...

JMHT.

Chandragupta · Post by **Chandragupta** » 04 May 2011 23:14

Rahul M wrote:^^ you should get together with bark da hutt sometime. you may not realise it but you two have much in common.

and the great Indian tradition of scoring endless self-goals lives on.
sometimes I get the feeling we really do not deserve to live, we deserve to be kicked mercilessly till we are all dead or the suicidal sector of our brain dries out. even the pakis have more survival spirit than we do.

Have replied in the off topic thread.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 04 May 2011 23:35

RIP sir.

Without ISRO satellite and MKI's help copter could not have been located. Terrain is difficult and unapproachable except by trekking, says the one who was coordinating from Tawang.

Venkarl · Post by **Venkarl** » 05 May 2011 00:11

R.I.P Sir

sourab_c · Post by **sourab_c** » 05 May 2011 00:28

I had high regard for this great gentleman. It must be noticed that he played a crucial role in waking up the Central Govt. to finally adopt many of the counter Chinese measures that we see being implemented today in the NE.

Sad loss for the nation.

R.I.P

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 May 2011 03:26

A biography from Pioneer

A grass roots activist who rose to become CM

Dorjee-A grassroot activist who rose to become CM
May 05, 2011 4:00:57 AM

PTI | Itanagar

A military intelligence man who participated in the 1971 Bangladesh war, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu had worked his way up as a local politician helping set up schools and organising drinking water supplies in far-flung areas of the mountainous state.

56-year-old Khandu, who became the Chief Minister twice, was with the Indian Army's intelligence wing for seven years and received a gold medal for rendering meritorious services during the Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Becoming an Anchal Samiti member in 1980, he turned his focus to social work in far-flung villages. He helped arranging drinking water supplies, electricity and communication and also setting up schools in remote areas of Tawang, his home district. Due to his efforts, cultural and cooperative societies were established in Tawang.

This helped him consolidate his standing among the masses when he replaced Gegong Apang as Chief Minister of the state in 2007.

He led a cultural troupe to 1982 ASIAD in Delhi from Tawang which won a silver medal.

Born on March 3, 1955 in Gyangkhar village in Tawang district, Khandu belonged to Monpa tribe and was a Buddhist with little formal education. He has four wives, four sons and two daughters.

His political innings started in 1983 when he was elected uncontested as the District Vice President of the West Kameng District Zilla Parishad and worked in that capacity till 1987.

In March 1990, he was elected uncontested to the Legislative Assembly from the Mukto constituency.

Khandu was re-elected to the Assembly in March, 1995 from the same constituency and was given the portfolio of Minister of State for Cooperation.

On September 21, 1996, he was elevated to cabinet rank and given Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Dairy Development department.

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 05 May 2011 03:29

RIP Sir! Thank you for your service.

kittoo · Post by **kittoo** » 05 May 2011 04:22

RIP Dorjee sir.

You did great service for the nation, in the army and after that. May your soul have peace.
Aapki aatma ko shaanti mile.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 05 May 2011 08:39

We see that China has been trying to relieve the pressure from Pakistan after May2 and has absolved the PA from all mistakes.

But at the same time took pains to creat diversion for Indian establishment with the incident with CM of Arunachal pradesh.

It seems to be perfectly times to raise the alarm over India for a two front
when US is busy going after OBL and PA

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 05 May 2011 11:57

This a loss the nation could do without.

RIP Sir.

Narad · Post by **Narad** » 05 May 2011 12:02

RIP Sir.

Bade · Post by **Bade** » 05 May 2011 20:04

There is just one doppler station in Agartala. The Northeast requires at least another one for Assam-Arunachal. The cost is ~10 crores. Considering the mil transport needs it is a minimum. Name it after the CM.

http://www.imd.gov.in/section/dwr/dynamic/dwr.htm

We do not have one for the South-west coast either looks like, despite the heavy monsoons that lash all along the coast each year. Sigh !

Theo_Fidel · Post by **Theo_Fidel** » 05 May 2011 22:14

Bade,

That is technically incorrect. Mumbai doppler is now active after many many glitches. Only 400 km range however so only part of SW is coverd. We need another further south.

http://www.imd.gov.in/section/dwr/dynamic/dwr.htm

Bade · Post by **Bade** » 05 May 2011 22:38

Mumbai is part of South-west ? In any case it does not even cover parts of Gujurat coast which gets the brunt of the disturbances which originate in the upper Arabian Sea. The range does not cover important coastal cities like M'lore, Kochi, TRV. Not to mention Karwar and Kochi bases and their importance.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 05 May 2011 22:56

Any details of the helicopter: Number of enginese maintenence, weather in teh area what ever that can help understand what happened?

I think its time to restrict VIP flights in single engine helis in bad weather.

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 05 May 2011 23:17

Clarification from Pawan Hans. Gives details
http://www.pawanhans.co.in/site/news95.aspx
Weather is generally foggy and rainy most of the year. I believe it lost its way and crashed into mountain side. I also think they follow visual approach and follow the road. Foggs can envalop the area suddenly even if Heli took off in clear weather.

The helicopter VT-PHT is a new helicopter and was deployed on wet lease for the State Govt of Arunachal Pradesh on 5th Dec 2010 to meet its long term requirements .
The VT-PHT is AS350 B 3 type of helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter, France. This helicopter is having latest technologies and has been introduced in our country for having excellent high altitude performance. The brand new helicopter was acquired in mid 2010. Till date helicopter has flown 306 hrs and done 577 landings. Most of the flying of this helicopter has been done in North East sector. The helicopter is equipped with necessary mission equipment like FADEC, automatic starting system, ELT, VHF, ADF, MARKER Receiver, ATC Transponder, Radio Altimeter, Vehicle & Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD) with First Limit Indicator (FLI) etc.
The helicopter is fitted with latest Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operating on twin frequencies 243.0 MHZ and 406 MHZ. ELT transmits signal on heavy impact which can be picked by ISRO Satellite and any over flying aircraft. This equipment is basically to locate the helicopter in case of mishap.
The helicopter is maintained as per the maintenance programme recommended by the manufacturer and approved by the regulatory authority, DGCA. Since the inception of helicopter in service, all maintenance checks like daily inspection, 50 hrs inspection and 100 hrs inspection were carried out as per the Page 2 of 3 stipulated programme by trained and qualified engineers. The last 100 hrs mandatory inspection was carried out on 10th April, 2011at 267 hrs.
The regulatory authority, DGCA has been satisfied with the maintenance programme and had issued certificate of airworthiness of this helicopter on 21st July 2010 which is valid up to 20th July 2015. During the various surveillance and audit checks of DGCA, no discrepancies were found in respect of maintenance of this helicopter.
Both of our pilots Capt T S Mamik and Capt J S Babbar are fully qualified and experienced pilots. Capt J S Babbar has around 4000 hrs of helicopter flying experience. All his checks like medical, proficiency etc. are valid. He has extensive flying experience in hilly terrain including North East area. Capt T S Mamik has total flying hours of around 3200 hrs. His all checks including medical, proficiency checks etc. are valid. He has flown in North East area for long time. Both Pilots are cleared for Special VFR operation.
As prescribed in Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP), Search & Rescue operation in our country rests with Airports Authority of India in coordination with other national agencies. As soon as we came to know of missing helicopter, our emergency response team immediately swung into action. Our senior officers are also interacting with various agencies like DGCA, IAF, ITBP, SSB etc for search and rescue operation. Senior officers from the State Government were contacted immediately and a close co-ordination with AAI like ATC Guwahati , Bhutan Government and ATC Paro , Bhutan is being maintained. Our base at Guwahati is put on full alert in case of any helicopter or manpower is required for search and rescue. Pawan Hans has already positioned two helicopters in Guwahati for assisting search and rescue operation and State Government. A special control room working round the clock was immediately set up at PHHL headquarters at Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi to coordinate and monitor the search and rescue activities.
PHHL has been operating in the North East for more than 20 years and has contributed for the development of North East states like Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim & Meghalaya. Our people have been operating under all adverse conditions with determination to support the State Governments. For Arunachal Pradesh alone on our Mi-172 and B 3 helicopters, we have handled more than 29,000 passengers in 2600 plus sorties in the challenging flying circumstances during the year 2010-11. For entire North East Page 3 of 3 more than 43,000 passengers were handled through 7,300 plus sorties in the most trying weather conditions and terrains of NE in the year 2010-11
Pawan Hans is fully committed to safety that is the top most priority in our flying. It is on record that we do not fly our helicopters with a defect until they are fully rectified and we are fully satisfied about its airworthiness. Being a PSU, we give priority to the safety of our passengers, customers and helicopters first rather than commercial interest. Our senior officers carry out regular surveillance and monitor closely the operation so that safety is not compromised.
In view of the missing helicopter, PHHL has put on hold its commercial operations in North East area for the time being so that these helicopters are available for search and rescue and the DGCA reviews the current situation. Inconvenience caused to people of the state is regretted. You are requested to kindly bear with us.

We pray to God that Hon’ble CM along with other is safe and return to home early.

Sanjeev Razdan
Dy General Manager (Engg)
sanjeev.razdan@pawanhans.co.in

chaanakya · Post by **chaanakya** » 05 May 2011 23:22

They operate Dauphin N, Mi-172, Bell 206L4, Bell 407 & Dauphin N3 helicopters for NE States. This was Dauphin AS350 B 3 type from Eurocopter France. They have 35 of them in different configurations.