Bihar CM uses a two-decade old helicopter

Patna, Sep 5 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is using a two-decade old helicopter amid fears over its airworthiness.

M K Singh, pilot of Bihar government's Pawanhans helicopter has said that that Kumar's chopper, bought in the year 1989-1990, was fit to fly.

"This helicopter was bought in the year 1989-1990 and had came in the same lot as Pawanhans helicopter. We are not facing any major problem. Small problems will be there even if you buy a brand new Boeing or an airbus. These technical problems will exist till the time one keeps on flying," he added.

Singh also said that age of a chopper was not intrinsic to its airworthiness.

"If a plane is old, it does not mean that its condition is bad. All its components are to be changed on a regular basis. There is a periodic servicing, a major servicing and when the plane crosses certain age, then crack detection takes place, an ultrasound is being conducted. These days new systems are coming like CT scan, which can detect minor cracks," he added.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's chopper crash on Wednesday have raised questions over the worthiness of Reddy's helicopter. (ANI)