An Army spokesperson announced on Saturday that the search and recovery mission in the October 21 crash in Arunachal Pradesh has been completed with the recovery of the fifth and last body.
The Indian Army and Air Force today reported that the mortal remains of the fifth army personnel were recovered from the advanced light helicopter (AHL) that crashed on Friday, according to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) (Tezpur). The operation was conducted on foot by three columns of soldiers, while one MI17 and two ALH choppers were deployed to trace the individuals.
During a collision at 10:43 am on Friday near Singging village, 25 km from Tuting headquarters in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Army Aviation Advance Light Helicopter (Weapon Systems Integrated) – ALH WSI, based in Likabali (Assam).
In the Lower Siang district, the helicopter took off from Likabali.
It was reported earlier that the mortal remains of four military personnel had been recovered in the crash, and one had gone missing.
The ‘May Day’ call received by Air Traffic Control (ATC) indicating mechanical or technical problems with the helicopter will be examined by a court of inquiry.
According to the release, Air Traffic Control (ATC) received a MAYDAY call suggesting a technical or mechanical failure before the crash. According to the Defence PRO, the cause of the accident will be the focus of the Court of Inquiry, which has been immediately constituted.
Earlier this year, an Indian Army pilot was killed in an Arunachal Pradesh Cheetah helicopter crash on October 5.
