New Delhi: The court of inquiry that was appointed to investigate the reasons behind the crash has ruled out any mechanical failure, sabotage or negligence as a cause of the accident,
According to the preliminary findings submitted by the tri-services court of inquiry, the crash on December 8 that killed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat and 13 others was a result of entry into clouds due to an unexpected change in weather that led to spatial disorientation of the pilot which resulted in Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).
According to US aviation regulator FAA, CFIT is defined as an unintentional collision with the terrain - the ground, a mountain, a body of water, or an obstacle - while an aircraft is under positive control.
The inquiry team analysed the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, besides questioning all available witnesses to determine the most probable cause of the accident.
"Based on its findings, the Court of Inquiry has made certain recommendations which are being reviewed," the IAF said.
General Rawat was on a visit to the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington in Nilgiri Hills to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course. Gen Rawat, his wife Madhulika, his defence advisor Brigadier LS Lidder, staff officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Col Harjinder Singh and decorated pilot Group Captain Varun Singh were among 13 others killed in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.