The Standing Committee on Defence has concluded that the tragic Mi-17 V5 helicopter crash, which took the life of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, was caused by "human error". The report, submitted nearly three years after the incident, brings to light the December 8, 2021 crash in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor.

What happened on December 8, 2021

General Rawat and 11 other people, including his wife and senior Army officials, were traveling on board the Mi-17 V5 helicopter that fateful day. The chopper was on its way from the Sulur Air Force Base to the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, where Gen Rawat was scheduled to deliver a lecture.

The helicopter crashed near a tea estate workers' residential area on the outskirts of Nanjappachatiram village in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district at around 12:10 p.m. All 12 persons onboard lost their lives due to the crash.

What the Defence report says

During the 13th Defence Period Plan that is from 2017-2022, according to the report the IAF had 34 accidents, amongst which, nine had "human error (aircrew)" as its major cause, including that of the Mi-17 V5 crash.

The Defence Ministry informed that inquiry committees should look into all aspects concerning an accident. This entails all procedures, training, equipment, operations, and total maintenance to ensure that there aren't repetitions of such an event again.

“The Ministry also informed that the recommendations by these Inquiry committees review the process, procedure, training, equipment, culture, operations, maintenance and administration holistically with intent to prevent recurrence of an accident,” the report stated.

It further added: “The Ministry informed that all remedial measures stipulated by Chief of the Air Staff remarks are binding and actioned. Most have been actioned while a few are under implementation.”

The death of General Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff, marked a major moment of grief in the country's military history. His passing, along with other senior officials and family members, sparked widespread grief and raised questions about flight safety protocols.