Indian Air Force Apache Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in Ladakh, Sustains Damage

An Indian Air Force Apache helicopter made an emergency landing during an operational training sortie in Ladakh's Area of Responsibility (AOR) on April 3, 2024. The landing was prompted by the challenging terrain and high altitude conditions. Unfortunately, during the landing process, the helicopter sustained damage. 

Both pilots aboard the aircraft are safe and have successfully recovered to the nearest airbase. Following the incident, a Court of Inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the precautionary landing and the subsequent damage to the helicopter.

An Indian Air Force Apache helicopter carried out a precautionary landing during an operational training sortie in Ladakh AOR on 03 April 24. During the process of this landing, it sustained damage due to undulating terrain and high altitude.

Both the pilots on board are safe… pic.twitter.com/5MaR0gh7v3

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2024

“Both the pilots on board are safe and have been recovered back and are now at an airbase. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause,” an IAF spokesperson said on Thursday.

The IAF imported 22 Apache helicopters from the US company Boeing. The copter is used to attack targets on the ground and in the air. A detachment of the copters has been deployed in Ladakh since the ongoing military stand-off with China