New Delhi: The Court of Inquiry (COI) which probed into the helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on December 8, in which the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika along with 11 others were killed has in its report released January 14  ruled out mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident.

It said the accident was a result of entry into clouds due to unexpected change in weather conditions in the valley. This led to spatial disorientation of the pilot resulting in Controlled Flight into Terrain.

The Court of Inquiry has on the basis of its findings made certain recommendations which are being reviewed.

The armed forces had a major setback as 63 year old General Rawat had been CDS for just over a year heading the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA). He was appointed as the CDS on January 1, 2020.

The Tri-Services Court of Inquiry into the Mi-17 V5 accident submitted its preliminary findings. The inquiry team analysed the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.