New Delhi: The IAF chopper crash on December 8 that killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and 13 others was “a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley.”

“The Tri-Services Court of Inquiry into the Mi-17 V5 accident on December 8, 2021 has submitted its preliminary findings. The inquiry team analyzed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident,” said the Ministry of Defence in a statement on Friday.

“The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident. The accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley. This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in controlled flight into terrain. Based on its findings, the Court of Inquiry has made certain recommendations which are being reviewed,” said the ministry.

Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika, his defence advisor Brigadier LS Lidder, staff officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Col Harjinder Singh and decorated pilot Group Captain Varun Singh were among 13 others killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu. The government is yet to appoint a new CDS. The court of inquiry into the crash was headed by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.

Air Marshal Singh, currently heading Bengaluru-headquartered Training Command of the IAF, is known to be one of the best air crash investigators in the country. Before taking the reins of the Training Command, the Air Marshal was the director general (inspection and safety) at the air headquarters and he developed various protocols for flight safety while serving in the post. /BI/