15 Military chopper accidents since March 2017, 31 people killed: Defence Ministry

The government on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that a total of 31 people were killed in accidents involving 15 military helicopters since March 2017. 

The Defence Ministry also gave out details of accidents that included the December 8 crash of the Mi-17V5 near Coonoor. Among the 15 choppers were four Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), four Cheetah, two ALH (weapon system integrated) versions, three Mi-17V5, a Mi-17 and a Chetak.

Replying to a question in the house Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt shared details of all helicopter accidents in the last five years. He said that there had been 15 accidents across the three services, that killed 31 people and injured another 20. 

According to the information provided, four accidents of Mi-17V5 helicopters of IAF had taken place in the last 5 years killing 21 people. This includes the recent crash recent in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on December 8, where all 14 people along with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat had lost their lives in the crash.

The total number of deceased includes the 14 people killed in the IAF chopper crash near Coonoor where CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and 12 armed forces personnel were lost their lives. 

Meanwhile, replying to a specific query on the crash of an ALH Rudra (WSI) in Ranjeet Sagar dam near Pathankot on August 3, Bhatt said Col A S Bath and Capt Jayant Joshi lost their lives after their helicopter Rudra-WSI crash-landed in Ranjeet Sagar Dam on August 3. 

There is no restriction on the helicopter flying over water,” the minister said. “However, low flying over water needs specific authorisation. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the crash,” he added. 

Following this, Bhatt was asked whether the pilots were not given specialised training required to fly over water, to which the minister replied that all training has been structured to meet the operational requirements. 

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