Pebbles would NOT have stalled the chopper

Aviation experts say Ambani incident wasn't as dangerous as it's made out to be

Aviation experts say Ambani incident wasn't as dangerous as it's made out to be

As the Anil Ambani chopper sabotage case gets murkier by the day, the Crime Branch has roped in aviation experts to examine the chopper closely.

The gear box has two filters, one at the filling point and another as part of the oil pump assembly. Main rotors gear box, where the pebbles and mud were discovered

MiD DAY caught up with independent aviation experts, who believe that the incident was nothing more than a lapse of procedure rather than a possible threat to the safety of the helicopter, its occupants and others.

Experts, who know the ins-and-outs of a Bell 412, the type of helicopter that was subject to an alleged sabotage attempt, opined that the main rotors gear box, where the pebbles and mud were discovered, have a safe system in place with two filters, one at the filling point and another as part of the oil pump assembly.

"If an attempt is made to fill contaminated oil or oil with pebbles and mud at the filling point, it will be collected in the filter," experts from Hindustan Aeronautics said, adding that present day helicopters were far too superior in design to disregard safeguards from such problems.u00a0u00a0u00a0

Human error

Aviation expert Vipul Saxena said that the Bell series of helicopters are well supported by multi layered-safety systems so that error at one stage can be rectified at the next stage assuring absolute safe operations. "It seems like a case of human error, as there are much serious parts such as flying controls or hydraulic system that carry the aerodynamic load and tampering with them would have definitely caused sudden loss of power and subsequent loss of control on helicopter (as alleged by Reliance Transport Ltd), said Saxena.

He added, "In most severe conditions it can choke the oil pump, and turn the gear box dry. However, all new age helicopters are capable of flying safe at least for 30 minutes in case the gear box runs dry. During this phase the pilot gets an alert through warning lights indicating abnormal oil temperature or pressure without any threat of sudden loss of power."