New Delhi, March 16: Ten Cheetah helicopters operated by the armed forces have crashed in last five years primarily due to human error, technical fault or weather conditions, Defence Minister A K Antony informed Parliament today.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said, “During the period 2006-07 to 2010-11, up to March 6, a total of 10 Cheetah helicopters of the Defence services have crashed. Human error, technical defect and weather were the main causes of these crashes.”
Antony, however, denied that any Cheetah helicopter is being operated by the defence services beyond their allotted flying hours and ceiling.
He also said that no choppers are used beyond their prescribed flying height in Siachen.
“Cheetah helicopters procured by the government for the Army are in operation. However, the Indian Air Force is operating it from 1974 onwards,” he said.
–Agencies