IAF chopper crash: Rajnath apprised of probe team's findings

New Delhi

The Indian Air Force on Wednesday apprised Defence MinisterRajnath Singh about the findings of the tri-services investigation into theDecember 8 chopper crash that killed CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others, peoplefamiliar with the development said.

The probe team has already completed its investigation intothe crash of the Russian-origin Mi-17V5 helicopter, they said.

Earlier, sources suggested that the crash was not a resultof any technical error in the helicopter of the Indian Air Force. However,there is no official confirmation on it.

The Court of Inquiry into the crash was headed by AirMarshal Manavendra Singh. Gen Rawat's wife Madhulika, his defence advisorBrigadier LS Lidder, staff officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt ColHarjinder Singh and decorated pilot Group Captain Varun Singh were among 13others killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.

It is learnt that the probe team examined all likelyscenarios for the crash, including possible human error or whether it was acase of disorientation of crew when the helicopter was preparing for landing. AirMarshal Singh, currently heading the Bengaluru-headquartered Training Commandof the IAF, is known to be one of the best air crash investigators in thecountry.

Before taking the reins of the Training Command, the AirMarshal was the Director General (Inspection and Safety) at the Airheadquarters and developed various protocols for flight safety while serving inthe post.