New Delhi: The tragic crash of the Mi-17V5 helicopter, which claimed the life of Indias first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat, along with 13 others, has been attributed to human error. This conclusion comes from the latest report released by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the incident that occurred three years ago.Human Error Identified as CauseThe Indian Air Force (IAF) initially indicated in January 2022 that the crash was due to the pilots spatial disorientation in adverse weather conditions. The IAFs investigation ruled out negligence, mechanical failure, or sabotage as contributing factors. The recent parliamentary report detailed multiple causes behind 34 air crashes that occurred between 2017 and 2022, highlighting human error—both from aircrew and servicing—as a significant factor. Other causes included technical defects, foreign object damage, and bird strikes, with some incidents still under investigation.Details of the CrashOn December 8, 2021, the Mi-17V5 helicopter, a Russian-made aircraft known for its reliability and safety, crashed near Coonoor while flying low through cloud cover. The helicopter took off from Sulur Air Base at 11:48 AM and was scheduled to land at Wellington Golf Course at 12:15 PM. However, air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft just before noon, approximately 20 minutes after takeoff. Tragically, the helicopter went down in a fireball just seven minutes prior to its expected landing.Victims of the IncidentThe crash resulted in the loss of several prominent individuals. Among those who perished were General Rawats wife, Madhulika Raje Singh Rawat his defence assistant Brigadier LS Lidder Lieutenant Colonel Harjinder Singh Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh co-pilot Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das and several other military personnel. The incident has raised serious concerns about aviation safety protocols within the Indian armed forces.The findings from this report not only highlight the tragic loss of life but also serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of addressing human factors in aviation safety. As investigations continue into other incidents, it is imperative that measures are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
