According to people familiar with the development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) informed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on January 5 of the findings of the tri-services investigation into the December 8 chopper crash that killed CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat and 13 others. According to them, the investigation team has already completed its investigation into the crash of the Russian-made Mi-17V5 helicopter. Earlier, sources claimed that the crash was not caused by a technical flaw in the Indian Air Force's helicopter. However, there has been no official confirmation. Air Marshal Manavendra Singh presided over the Court of Inquiry into the crash. Gen. Rawat's wife, Madhulika, his defence advisor Brigadier L.S. Lidder, a staff officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Col. Harjinder Singh, and decorated pilot Group Captain Varun Singh were among the 13 people killed in the crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. According to reports, the investigation team looked into all possible causes of the crash, including human error or crew disorientation as the helicopter prepared to land. Air Marshal Singh, who is currently in charge of the IAF's Training Command in Bengaluru, is widely regarded as one of the best air crash investigators in the country. Prior to taking over the Training Command, the Air Marshal was the Director General (Inspection and Safety) at the Air Headquarters, where he developed various protocols for flight safety.
