No foreign hand in Mi-8 chopper crash, clarifies Air Chief Tipnis

No foreign hand in Mi-8 chopper crash, clarifies Air Chief Tipnis
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

PUNE, NOV 23: Have problem, will fly. That seems to be the motto of the Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis as he flew into the National Defence Academy (NDA) in an Mi-8 piloted by him.

In light of the Mi-8 chopper ‘‘accident’’ recently, the Air Chief was at pains to clarify that it was not any ‘‘external threat’’ that did it in. ‘‘Preliminary evidence from the wreckage has indicated that there was no external threat in the incident. We have lifted the wreckage with the Mi-26 chopper and we are examining the parts as a part of a thorough investigation.’’

‘‘No alien material evidence was found in the prima facie inquiry of the accident. However, deeper and microscopic investigations and studies regarding the wreckage including black box as well as cockpit voice recorder (CVR) are yet to be completed,’’ he added.

But here’s the catch. Air Marshal Tipnis admitted that ‘‘we are not self-sufficient when it comes to maintenance of our fleet.’’ The reason. The ‘‘size of the fleet did not match with the economics of setting up a major repair infrastructure.’’

This resulted in a lesser number of aircraft going up into the air. ‘‘Ideally we should have nearly 70 per cent of the aircraft flying but then when it comes to depot-level maintenance than we have to depend upon outside resources to get them done,’’ he said.

Asked about how the Indians were coping up in light of the Pakistanis shopping for an AWACS from Brazil, he pointed out that the IAF was looking at several options on its own. ‘‘We are looking at the best options available,’’ he said but did not offer any specifications on the subject.

But, qualitatively, the IAF had an edge over the Pakistanis the Air Chief maintained. ‘‘Look at the Su-30. Not only is it the best in the world, in fact it has certain capabilities that no other military aircraft in the world has today.’

Further thumbs up to the aircraft came from the Air Chief as he pointed out that as per the contract every new batch of aircraft would mean getting the latest version. ‘‘We have ensured that as each batch of aircraft is delivered to us it is the latest one and theatres are also similarly upgraded accordingly.’’

As far as the Advanced Jet Trainers were concerned, ‘‘We are right in the middle of a deal and signing the contract will take some time, ’’ was ACM Tipnis’ reply. ‘‘We have to ensure that once we have the aircraft we are not subject to it being held hostage to sanctions from any quarter. So the make of the aircraft and other details are being worked out.’’

At NDA to formally induct the Super Dimona motorised gliders, the Air Chief Marshal Tipnis called the induction a ‘‘quantum jump.’’ ‘‘Whether it is a Su-30 or a Super Dimona just ensure your safety and that of the aircraft. Remember,’’ he said to the eager cadets gathered to hear the chief speak, ‘‘You must come back to fly out for another mission on another day.’’

NDA Commandant Lt Gen S B S Kochar mentioned that the 100th course would be the first boys who would get the opportunity to fly the aircraft. ‘‘I am sure that there will be a sea change in the quality of air force cadets with the induction of this aircraft,’’ he said.