In a major development in connection with the tragic IAF Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash in Coonoor on December 8 which killed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife Dr Madhulika Rawat, Group Captain Varun Singh and 11 other military personnel, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday has announced that the tri-services court of inquiry has submitted its preliminary findings, ruling out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident.
The inquiry team analysed the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.
The inquiry team has found that the reason for the accident was the chopper’s entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions. The tri-services inquiry report headed by IAF Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command, was submitted to the government on December 31.
IAF added “spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in controlled flight into terrain or CFIT” was the cause of the crash as per the inquiry report.
Considered one of the primary causes of aircraft crashes globally, CFIT is when an aircraft is considered airworthy—with no negligence on the part of the pilot—hits a surface unintentionally due to the disorientation the pilot.
The air force said the Court of Inquiry had made certain recommendations, “which are being reviewed”.
(WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)
