12 Killed In Mi-17 Helicopter Crash

12 KILLED IN MI-17 HELICOPTER CRASH

An Indian Airforce helicopter MI-17 carrying 11 IAF officials crashed in Arunachal Pradesh today 12:05 PM local time. The Chopper took off from an Army Helipad in Tawang, crashed after five minutes in Bomdir, an area bordering China, killing everyone on board.

An Army Lieutenant Colonel and 11 IAF officials in which a crew of two Pilots and one Flight Engineer were on board the helicopter which was en route to Guwahati. The cause of the crash is still unknown. The weather cannot be blamed this time as IAF sources said that the weather was clear and sunny. Technical fault also cannot be ruled out.

All the bodies were recovered from the site of crash. The chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Defence Minister A.K.Antony have expressed their Condolences. A Court of inquiry has been ordered to unearth the Cause of the tragic accident.



MI-17 helicopter is a Russian Designed Helicopter which can accommodate 30 troops. MI17s were ordered by Indian Air Force to replace the Aging fleet of Mi-8. MI-17 are very successful transport helicopters developed from MI-8 , which is the Most Produced Helicopter in the World.