A parliamentary panel report has concluded that “human error” was the cause of the December 8, 2021, helicopter crash that killed India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, reports PTI.
Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and several other military personnel died when their Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Defence provided data on Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crashes during the 13th Defence Plan period. The report stated there were 34 crashes, including nine IAF accidents in 2021-22 and 11 in 2018-19.
The report listed the Mi-17 crash as the 33rd accident, occurring on December 8, 2021, with the cause identified as “HE(A)” — human error by the aircrew.
The Ministry of Defence informed the committee that 34 inquiries were conducted into these accidents during the period. The ministry noted that recommendations from inquiry committees reviewed processes, procedures, training, equipment, culture, operations, maintenance, and administration to prevent future accidents.
The ministry also stated that all remedial measures recommended by the Chief of the Air Staff have been implemented, with a few still in progress.