Hyderabad, Dec 18: Chief of Air Staff Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Saturday said the investigation into the Indian Air Force Mi-17 V-5 Chopper crash, in which Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 13 others were killed at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8, was progressing. Addressing a press conference at Air Force Academy (AFA) at Dundigal on the outskirts of the city, the Air Chief Marshal termed it is a tragic accident.
The Court of inquiry with senior officials of highly qualified in the field of helicopters is continuing. “I would not like to share the findings of the Court of enquiry, he said It is a thorough process. Mandate has been given to the presiding officer of the Court of enquiry to investigate in every single angle on what could have gone wrong and come out with suitable recommendations”.
Further, the IAF Chief said that every single bit of material evidence has to be examined and record the statements of every witness. Cross examination will also be done on the witnesses. So it is not correct to rush unless the Court of inquiry comes out with some evidence to take corrective action, he said.
Stating that the process of Inquiry will take a few more weeks, the Chief of Air Staff hoped that the inquiry will be completed at the earliest. The Air Chief Marshal said that we have the investigation team of the aircraft board. It will do some kind of preliminary study. As of now they have not come to any specific point that needs for corrective action, he added.
