Human error caused helicopter crash that killed CDS General Bipin Rawat: Parliamentary panel

A report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has reiterated the findings of the Indian Air Force (IAF) regarding the helicopter crash that killed the country's first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and 11 others. The Standing Committee on Defence report tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday noted that the Russian-made Mi-17 that crashed on December 8, 2021, is considered extremely safe, reliable, and fully serviceable.

CREDIT: AP

34 aircraft accidents between 2017¨C22

The Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash was among the 34 aircraft accidents recorded during the thirteenth defence plan period between 2017¨C22.

Out of the 34 aircraft accidents, Human Error (Aircrew) (HE(A)) was identified as the most frequent cause, responsible for 16 accidents, while technical defects, foreign object damage, and bird hits were blamed for others, and some accidents are still under investigation.

MiG-21 had most number of accidents

The report noted that the IAFĄ¯s MiG-21 aircraft was involved in 10 of the recorded accidents, making it the most frequent on the list, followed by aircraft such as the Jaguar and Kiran.

"The ministry also informed that the recommendations by these inquiry committees review the process, procedure, training, equipment, culture, operations, maintenance, and administration holistically with intent to prevent recurrence of an accident," the report said.

Also read: General Bipin Rawat Had To Give This Message On 50th Anniversary Of 1971 War, Was Recorded On Dec 7

CREDIT: BCCL

Helicopter crash that killed General Rawat

General Rawat, who served as the Chief of the Army Staff, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Chief of Defence Staff, was killed on December 8, 2021, when the IAF helicopter carrying him crashed in Coonoor, in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.

General Rawat was on his way to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington when the helicopter crashed just 10 kilometres away from its destination.

CREDIT: BCCL

All the occupants of the helicopter, including General Rawat, his wife, and 11 others, died in the crash. Group Captain Varun Singh was the only occupant of the ill-fated chopper who was found alive by the search and rescue team, but he too succumbed to injuries days later.

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