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Last edited February 25, 2026


2021 Indian Air Force Mi-17 crash
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An Indonesian Air Force Mi-17V-5, similar to the crashed one.
Occurrence
DateDecember 8, 2021 (2021-12-08)
SiteNilgiris district, Tamil Nadu, India
Aircraft
Aircraft typeMi-17V-5
OperatorIndian Air Force
Passengers14
Fatalities13[1]
Survivors1

On 8 December 2021, a Russian made Mi-17V-5 helicopter crashed between Coimbatore and Wellington Cantonment in Tamil Nadu, after its take off from Sulur Air Force Station. The helicopter was carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 13 others, including his wife and other staff.

Incident

An Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter reportedly crashed near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu at 12:20 p.m. IST. The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 13 others, including his wife and other family members were killed. As of 16:30 hours IST, 11 bodies were recovered from the crash site.[2][3]

Casualities

Further IAF reporting stated that out of 14 members, 13 have been declared dead including Bipin Rawat and his wife[4] as the sole survivor, Group Captain Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC is undergoing medical treatment at Military Hospital in Wellington.[5]

References

  1. [1]
  2. Madhav, Pramod (8 December 2021). "CDS General Bipin Rawat's chopper crashes in Tamil Nadu". India Today. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  3. Indian Air Force [@IAF_MCC] (December 8, 2021). "An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. Indian Air Force [@IAF_MCC] (December 8, 2021). "With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. Indian Air Force [@IAF_MCC] (December 8, 2021). "Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

External links