Human error was the cause of the terrible helicopter crash on December 8, 2021, which claimed the lives of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and eleven other people, according to a new study by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. This result is consistent with previous Indian Air Force (IAF) assessments that suggested the pilot’s spatial disorientation in unfavorable weather circumstances was a major contributing factor in the mishap.
About ten kilometers from its intended destination, the Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed while traveling from Sulur Air Force Station to the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. Around 11:48 AM, the helicopter took off, and at 12:08 AM, it lost communication with air traffic control.
According to the legislative report, human error was found to be the primary cause of aircraft accidents in the IAF during the thirteenth defense plan period (2017–2022), accounting for 16 of the 34 incidents that were reported. Damage from extraneous objects and mechanical flaws were further significant issues. But in this particular instance, the IAF inquiry ruled out sabotage, technical failure, or negligence as contributing factors.
Although the cause of this catastrophe was identified as human error on the part of the aircrew, the report stressed that in order to prevent similar incidents in the future, it is imperative to take into account more extensive systemic problems in training and operational procedures. The Ministry of Defence has stated that recommendations from inquiries into these incidents will be implemented to enhance safety protocols and operational standards.
This report shows the importance of addressing human
