Three years after the tragic Mi-17V5 helicopter crash that resulted in the deaths of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, and 11 other armed forces personnel, a parliamentary panel report has attributed the accident to “human error.”

The crash occurred on December 8, 2021, near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, while the military helicopter was on a scheduled flight. The Standing Committee on Defence, in a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, provided comprehensive data on Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crashes that took place during the 13th Defence Plan period.

According to the report, a total of 34 IAF aircraft crashes were recorded during this period. These included nine accidents in 2021-22 and 11 in 2018-19. The report’s data specified the causes of these accidents, with the 33rd accident listed as involving an Mi-17 helicopter on December 8, 2021. The reason for this crash was categorized as “HE(A)” or “human error (aircrew).”

The defence ministry, responding to the panel, revealed that 34 inquiries had been conducted into these accidents. The ministry stated that the recommendations from these inquiry committees address multiple facets, including process, procedure, training, equipment, culture, operations, maintenance, and administration, with a focus on preventing similar accidents in the future.

“The ministry also informed that the recommendations by these inquiry committees, as remarked by the Chief of the Air Staff, are binding and are being actioned. Most of these measures have already been implemented, while a few remain under execution,” the report said.

The findings highlight the need for stringent measures to mitigate human error and enhance operational safety in the armed forces. The crash involving General Rawat was a significant loss for India’s defence establishment and continues to serve as a somber reminder of the risks faced by armed forces personnel.