The Indian Air Force on Wednesday submitted the investigation report of the Mi-17 helicopter crash carrying CDS Bipin Rawat to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. However, no official information has been given about the facts of the investigation report. But sources said the helicopter lost control due to a sudden thick cloud cover, causing it to land on the surface. The investigation report has ruled out the possibility of any technical glitch or attack.
The accident happened on 8 December. A total of 14 people were on board including CDS Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat. Everyone died in the accident. Air Marshal Manvendra Singh has headed the Court of Inquiry into the accident.
Officials said the investigation team has completed the investigation into the crash of the Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter. Sources said that the accident did not take place due to any technical snag in the IAF helicopter. The helicopter lost control due to a sudden cloudburst.
The investigation report uses Controlled Flight in Terrain (CFIT) status for this. This situation occurs when the pilot’s health deteriorates due to bad weather. General Rawat, his wife Madhulika, their defense advisor Brigadier LS Leader, Chief of Defense Staff Officer Lt Col Harjinder Singh, and Group Captain Varun Singh.Â