Tech snag led to Leh chopper crash: Officials
A technical failure that led to the loss of engine power caused an Army Cheetah helicopter to crash in the mountainous Tangtse area near Leh on May 20, officials familiar with initial investigations said on Sunday. The two pilots survived the May 20 crash with minor injuries. The two pilots—a lieutenant colonel and a major—and the third occupant Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of Karu-based 3 Infantry Division, survived the crash with minor injuries, as first reported by HT. A court of inquiry ordered by the army to ascertain the cause of the crash is likely to submit its final report within two months, the officials said. The Cheetah fleet has not been grounded and continues to undertake frontline duties in the sensitive Ladakh sector, the officials said on condition of anonymity. “A technical failure killed the engine. Weather conditions were good at the time of the crash. The helicopters are being cleared to fly after precautionary engine checks,” one official said. The crashed helicopter was a re-engined version of the Cheetah. The upgraded …
