HYDERABAD: Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was travelling in the State-owned Bell 430 helicopter which went missing in the Nallamala forests in Kurnool district this morning. The Chief Minister had to use the old helicopter as the State-of-the-art Agusta Westland (AW-130) helicopter acquired by the State Government for his use was reportedly under repair.
The Bell 430, like most helicopters used by VVIPs in India, is a six-seater.
With two seats in the front for the pilot and co-pilot, it can accommodate only four others including Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The State Government had acquired it for the use of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 20 crore in 1998.
The Bell-430 chopper has four blades and a composite main rotor comprising two Rolls-Royce 250-C40B turboshaft engines. In the event of a failure, the helicopter can operate with a single engine. The fuel system is rupture resistant and is equipped with self-sealing breakaway safety fitting units.
Ever since the Bell-430 entered service in 1996, it has been very successful in corporate, emergency medical services, homeland security and law enforcement roles and in utility and offshore patrol configurations. It was initially marketed mainly as a high-speed corporate and executive helicopter capable of going at 257 kmph.
The State Government recently acquired the new 16-seater AW 130 helicopter after they found that the Bell 430 was inadequate in terms of seating capacity apart from demanding frequent repairs and overhauling.