All seven Indian Air Force personnel died after a Mi-17 V5 transport helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, October 6.
#BREAKING -- IAF Chopper crashes in Arunachal Pradesh: All 7 on board dead in IAF chopper crash pic.twitter.com/TrlyvEA7zQ
— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 6, 2017
#FLASH: 5 personnel dead, 1 critically injured as a Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh this morning confirms Indian Airforce pic.twitter.com/pZfcWEF1Xr
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2017
The incident took place at 6.30 am when the helicopter was on an air maintenance mission. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The area where the chopper crashed in Tawang has always been vulnerable due to its extreme climatic conditions.
According to reports, the spot is around 12km from the India-China border. However, the Indian Air Force claims that only six people have died and one officer is in a critical state. The crash comes a day ahead of Air Force Day that is extensively celebrated by IAF.
"Our losses in the peacetime are a cause of concern. We are making concerted efforts to minimise accidents and preserve our assets," Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said on Thursday. He was talking about several IAF chopper crashes that have been happening lately.
The final batch of Mi-17 V5 military transport helicopters was handed over to India by Russia in February 2016. The contract with Rosoboronexport, a company of Rostec State Corporation, entailed a total of 151 units of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter, produced by the Kazan Helicopter Plant, part of Russian Helicopters company, according to PTI.
The Mi-17 V5 is considered one of the most advanced transport helicopters owing to its capability to transport a cargo inside its cabin and an external sling.
