The tri-service probe panel, which conducted an investigation into the CDS Bipin Rawat helicopter crash, has ruled out any sabotage that led to the crash of the IAF helicopter on December 8.
The probe panel has concluded that the helicopter, in which former chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat was on board, got entangled in clouds and hit the terrain.
Former CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 other military personnel were on board the ill-fated helicopter that crashed at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.
“The accident was a result of the entry into clouds due to an unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley. This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot, resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT),” a statement from the Indian Air Force (IAF) said.
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CFIT, in aviation, means accidental collision with terrain like a mountain, waterbody, or any other obstacle.
The statement added: “The inquiry team analysed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.”
The probe panel, headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, had submitted its preliminary findings to defence minister Rajnath Singh earlier this month.
“The Court of Inquiry has ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage, or negligence as a cause of the accident,” the probe panel report read.