The tragic Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash that claimed the life of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on December 8, 2021, was caused by “Human Error (Aircrew),” according to a report by the Standing Committee on Defence.
The report, tabled in the Lok Sabha three years after the incident, sheds light on the cause of the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, which also claimed the lives of 12 others, including General Rawat’s wife, Madhulika Rawat.
The Standing Committee report of the 18th Lok Sabha revealed that during the ‘Thirteenth Defence Period Plan’ (2017-2022), a total of 34 Indian Air Force (IAF) accidents were recorded, with nine occurring in the Financial Year 2021-2022. The crash involving General Rawat was attributed to “Human Error (Aircrew),” corroborating earlier speculations.
In 2022, sources had suggested that pilot error was the probable cause of the crash. The Standing Committee’s findings now confirm that the aircrew’s error led to the fatal incident.
How Chopper Carrying General Bipin Rawat Crashed?
The inquiry team’s preliminary findings indicated that an unexpected change in weather conditions caused the helicopter to enter clouds, leading to spatial disorientation of the pilot. This resulted in a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The investigation relied on data from the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder and testimonies from available witnesses to arrive at this conclusion.
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On December 8, 2021, the Mi-17 V5 carrying General Rawat, his wife Madhulika, and 12 other armed forces personnel, departed from Sulur Air Force base in Coimbatore. The group was en route to the Defence Staff Services College in Wellington. However, the helicopter crashed into the hills near Coonoor just minutes before its scheduled landing.
The crash resulted in the immediate deaths of General Rawat, his wife, and 11 others. The sole survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, succumbed to severe burn injuries a week later while undergoing treatment at a Bengaluru military hospital.
Remembering the Victims
The loss of General Rawat, a decorated military leader, and the other personnel onboard was a significant blow to India’s armed forces. The findings from the Standing Committee report bring closure to the cause of the tragedy, emphasizing the critical need for stringent safety measures and training protocols to prevent future incidents.
This incident underscores the importance of addressing human error in aviation operations. The Indian Air Force has been urged to implement enhanced training programs and adopt advanced technologies to mitigate risks associated with challenging weather conditions and pilot disorientation.
The nation continues to remember and honor the contributions of General Bipin Rawat and the others who lost their lives in this devastating accident.
