Team News Riveting
Chennai, December 8
The Mi-17V5 chopper of Indian Air Force (IAF) that crashed near Coonoor in the hilly Nilgiris district with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on board has distinctive features of landing.
A Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter, produced at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude, is capable of landing on unprepared sites at night and in limited adverse weather conditions. The helicopter was airborne from Sulur for Wellington with 14 persons on board including the crew and wife of CDS.
While worst is feared from the crash, the Government would give a statement on the floor of the House on Thursday. Unofficial sources said 11 people died in the tragic incident, three were battling for life. There is no official word on General Rawat and wife’s health.
The Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh visited the house of CDS and met her daughter. Though he was supposed to give a statement in Parliament, it had been postponed for tomorrow.
According to defence experts, the Mi-17V5 helicopter is mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version. It was widely used by the Sri Lanka Air Force against LTTE.
The IAF uses the helicopter to not only transport cargo but also deploy troops in operational areas apart from rescue and relief missions across the country. The Sulur air base operates these helicopters.
The helicopter can carry a maximum load of 13,000 kilograms, flying at a maximum speed of 250 kilometers per hour.
What led to the crash of the advanced chopper flying with VVIP protocols could be known only after the report of inquiry instituted by the IAF.
