Chennai, Nov. 27 :    Chennai, Nov. 27:  The American naval ship, USS John Young, docked at Chennai port since yesterday, has caused deep embarrassment to governments of both countries, with one of its two helicopters apparently violating Indian air space. It hovered for 'nearly two hours' over the metropolis and flew close to the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam near here without permission of either the defence or aviation authorities. Foreign ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao confirmed in Delhi that 'it was flying without prior intimation'. She said: 'We will take it up with the US authorities concerned so that instances of this nature are not repeated.' The US embassy said the helicopter was on a 'training flight to maintain pilot proficiency', but added that it was investigating the matter. An air traffic controller spotted the chopper 50 to 60 nautical miles east of Chennai while routinely surveying the secondary surveillance radar early morning yesterday, before the ship docked at Chennai harbour. It was back at its base when reporters visited the USS John Young today. The destroyer is part of the Seventh Fleet. Apparently, there was a communication gap between the ship, which has docked here for refuelling and replenishing stocks, and the Indian authorities. The helicopter had reportedly 'even refused' to establish the mandatory radio contact with air traffic control in Chennai. Although on the defensive in the face of a barrage of questions, the captain, Geoffrey Pack, said he was 'not aware' of any air space violation. He insisted that 'significant information on our helicopter operations (had been provided) to the right people'. Terming the sorties 'routine and scheduled', the captain said he was not aware of any 'communication gap' that had led to this 'avoidable embarrassment'. He said he had discussed the development with the US naval attache in Delhi. The incident comes at a time when the chief of the US armed forces in the region, Admiral Dennis Blair, is visiting Delhi. The USS John Young is the second US naval vessel to dock at Chennai in a month, the first being the USS O'Brien, which was greeted with protests here by the Left. This time, there was no such reaction, but the air space violation is certain to cause political tremors. Already, the Left parties have urged the Centre to ask the ship to leave and have threatened to take it up in Parliament. Delhi does not want to turn the incident into a major issue because of its expanding relationship with the US and the ongoing common war against terror. The helicopters aboard the USS John Young are used for a wide range of operations, from search and rescue to surveillance. Asked whether it could be presumed that the helicopter had sophisticated cameras as it went close to the nuclear power installation at Kalpakkam, the captain said: 'I would not make any assumption on what they have on board.' Pack is unlikely to have a worry-free meal tonight when he joins his 300-odd crew at a dinner the Indian Navy is hosting for them. He will return the compliment tomorrow.