<p>A tragic incident unfolded at the INS Garuda naval air station in Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala as a chopper accident killed a navy sailor on Saturday (Nov 4).&nbsp;Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and all other officers paid their tributes to Yogendra Singh, LAM (Leading Air Mechanic).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS &amp; all personnel of #IndianNavy mourn the loss of life &amp; pay tribute to Yogendra Singh, LAM who lost his life in the unfortunate accident at Kochi and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," the Indian Navy spokesperson said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident occurred during a routine training flight when the Indian Navy helicopter was met with a mechanical failure, PTI news agency said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>According to Navy authorities, it was a ground accident when the Chetak helicopter encountered an accident during ground maintenance inspections.&nbsp;The helicopter reportedly had an accident at approximately 2:30 pm on Saturday (Nov 4).</p>

<p>"A Chetak helicopter met with a ground accident today during maintenance taxi checks at INS Garuda, Kochi, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of one ground crew."</p>

<h2><strong>Investigation underway</strong></h2>

<p>In response to the accident, the Indian Navy has initiated a Board of Inquiry to investigate the exact cause of the failure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident," the Indian Navy spokesperson added. The Indian Navy is awaiting further information and details related to the incident.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Adm R Hari Kumar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CNS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CNS</a> &amp; all personnel of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndianNavy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndianNavy</a> mourn the loss of life &amp; pay tribute to Yogendra Singh, LAM who lost his life in the unfortunate accident at Kochi and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. <a href="https://t.co/83ZmXbsuqc">https://t.co/83ZmXbsuqc</a> <a href="https://t.co/m9yyDM4JQM">pic.twitter.com/m9yyDM4JQM</a></p>
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) <a href="https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1720770047046766838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Located near INS Venduruthy and serving as the headquarters for the Southern Naval Command, INS Garuda is a significant naval air training centre and an operational base.</p>

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<p>It possesses two intersecting runways that enable various operational aircraft to land and take off. It plays a crucial role as a strategic operating facility for the Indian Navy as it accommodates numerous training schools, intelligence centres, maintenance and repair facilities, as well as experimental stations.&nbsp;INS Garuda was commissioned on May 11, 1953, and is the oldest operating air station of the Indian Navy.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A tragic incident unfolded at the INS Garuda naval air station in Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala as a chopper accident killed a navy sailor on Saturday (Nov 4).

A tragic incident unfolded at the INS Garuda naval air station in Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala as a chopper accident killed a navy sailor on Saturday (Nov 4). Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and all other officers paid their tributes to Yogendra Singh, LAM (Leading Air Mechanic). "Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS & all personnel of #IndianNavy mourn the loss of life & pay tribute to Yogendra Singh, LAM who lost his life in the unfortunate accident at Kochi and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," the Indian Navy spokesperson said. The incident occurred during a routine training flight when the Indian Navy helicopter was met with a mechanical failure, PTI news agency said. Also Read | PM Modi launches scathing attacks on Bhupesh Baghel after ED linked him to betting app deal According to Navy authorities, it was a ground accident when the Chetak helicopter encountered an accident during ground maintenance inspections. The helicopter reportedly had an accident at approximately 2:30 pm on Saturday (Nov 4). "A Chetak helicopter met with a ground accident today during maintenance taxi checks at INS Garuda, Kochi, resulting in the unfortunate loss of life of one ground crew." Investigation underway In response to the accident, the Indian Navy has initiated a Board of Inquiry to investigate the exact cause of the failure. Also Read | India | Centre to extend free ration scheme for next five years: PM Modi tells poll rally "A Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident," the Indian Navy spokesperson added. The Indian Navy is awaiting further information and details related to the incident. Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS & all personnel of #IndianNavy mourn the loss of life & pay tribute to Yogendra Singh, LAM who lost his life in the unfortunate accident at Kochi and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. https://t.co/83ZmXbsuqc pic.twitter.com/m9yyDM4JQM — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 4, 2023 × Located near INS Venduruthy and serving as the headquarters for the Southern Naval Command, INS Garuda is a significant naval air training centre and an operational base. Watch | At least 132 dead and over 140 injured as earthquake rocks Nepal × It possesses two intersecting runways that enable various operational aircraft to land and take off. It plays a crucial role as a strategic operating facility for the Indian Navy as it accommodates numerous training schools, intelligence centres, maintenance and repair facilities, as well as experimental stations. INS Garuda was commissioned on May 11, 1953, and is the oldest operating air station of the Indian Navy. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian navy sailor killed in helicopter accident at Kochi naval air station

<p>INS Garuda, the oldest Air Station of the Indian Navy completed 69 years in service of the nation. Originally setup as a British-era airfield to support Royal Airforce activities, the base came up in the Kochi city in the Southern state of Kerala, on India's west coast. From supporting Royal Airforce activities in the 1940s, the air station has come a long way and plays a major role major operational and training role, as the only Naval Air station under India's Southern Naval Command.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>In 1941, the airfield was setup to support the Royal Airforce and two years later it was established as a Royal Navy Air Station to support Royal Navy ships. In 1952, five years after India's independence, the base was rechristened 'Venduruthy II' and later in 1953 commissioned as INS Garuda, by the then Indian Defence Minister Mahavir Tyagi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among the major contemporary roles of INS Garuda include the active conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in the Indian Ocean Region. The station has played a significant role in the enormous air efforts that were carried out to aid Kerala during the devastating 2018 floods. Recently, a Naval helicopter from INS Garuda had also provided emergency medical evacuation for a foreign Navy sailor and brought her to shores for treatment, following which she was repatriated.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>In his address, Commodore VB Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Garuda emphasized on the need to always remain operationally ready and reiterated the station's commitment towards meeting all tasks.&nbsp;</p>


INS Garuda, the oldest Air Station of the Indian Navy completed 69 years in service of the nation. Originally setup as a British-era airfield to support Royal Airforce activities, the base came up in the Kochi city in the Southern state of Kerala, on India's west coast.

INS Garuda, the oldest Air Station of the Indian Navy completed 69 years in service of the nation. Originally setup as a British-era airfield to support Royal Airforce activities, the base came up in the Kochi city in the Southern state of Kerala, on India's west coast. From supporting Royal Airforce activities in the 1940s, the air station has come a long way and plays a major role major operational and training role, as the only Naval Air station under India's Southern Naval Command. Also read | Chinese police investigate woman for spreading Beijing lockdown 'rumours' In 1941, the airfield was setup to support the Royal Airforce and two years later it was established as a Royal Navy Air Station to support Royal Navy ships. In 1952, five years after India's independence, the base was rechristened 'Venduruthy II' and later in 1953 commissioned as INS Garuda, by the then Indian Defence Minister Mahavir Tyagi. Among the major contemporary roles of INS Garuda include the active conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in the Indian Ocean Region. The station has played a significant role in the enormous air efforts that were carried out to aid Kerala during the devastating 2018 floods. Recently, a Naval helicopter from INS Garuda had also provided emergency medical evacuation for a foreign Navy sailor and brought her to shores for treatment, following which she was repatriated. Also read | Which territories are under Russian control and where is Ukraine resisting? In his address, Commodore VB Bellary, Commanding Officer, INS Garuda emphasized on the need to always remain operationally ready and reiterated the station's commitment towards meeting all tasks.

Indian Navy's oldest air station completes 69 years in service of nation

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