Pilots’ error probably caused YSR copter crash

New Delhi: The helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S.R. Reddy, and four others in September last was caused by the error of the pilots, who lost control over the chopper, according to the report of a committee of inquiry.
“The crew noticed a snag and was engrossed for vital six minutes, before the impact, in searching for the relevant checklist from the flight manual. This distracted their attention from the prevailing poor visibility, thus leading to the loss of situational awareness,” the report said. The crew flew in instrument flying condition, though the flight plan was cleared for Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
After more than four months of the probe, which included an in-depth analysis of data and consultations with experts, the four-member committee submitted the detailed report to the government on Wednesday.
“The accident occurred owing to the loss of control, resulting in an uncontrolled descent in the terrain at a very high rate due to entry into severe down draught,” the report said, pinpointing the “probable cause.”
During the investigation, the committee undertook a technical analysis at the crash site for crucial evidence, and at the APACL hangar in Hyderabad for a reconstruction/tear-down analysis of various components and systems. Technical inputs and analysis were coordinated with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Indian Air Force, the Indian Meteorological Department, the National Aeronautical Laboratories, Bangalore, and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratories, Hyderabad.
The Central Bureau of Investigation helped in certain analysis done at the Central Forensic Science Laboratories, Hyderabad. Indian Precision Lightning Network, Delhi, gave technical inputs on the electric charge scenario of the areas around the crash site.
21/01/10 The Hindu

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2010, Safety Jan 2010