A technical failure resulting in loss of engine power led to an Indian Army Cheetah helicopter crash in the mountainous Tangtse area near Leh on May 20, according to officials familiar with initial findings.

The aircraft was carrying two pilots—a lieutenant colonel and a major—along with Major General Sachin Mehta, General Officer Commanding of the Karu-based 3 Infantry Division.All three occupants survived the crash with minor injuries, as earlier reported.

The helicopter involved was a re-engined variant known as the Cheetal, which is powered by a TM333–2M2 engine and includes an automatic backup engine control system.

Officials said a court of inquiry ordered by the Army is currently investigating the incident and is expected to submit its final report within two months.

Preliminary assessments suggest that weather conditions were normal at the time of the crash, strengthening the possibility of a technical malfunction as the primary cause.

Despite the incident, the Cheetah fleet has not been grounded and continues to operate in the sensitive Ladakh region after precautionary engine checks and clearance for flight safety.The Army’s decision not to ground the fleet has been justified on the basis that the cause of the crash appears to be identified.However, the incident has once again raised concerns about the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopter fleets, many of which are several decades old.More than 15 crashes involving these models have been reported over the past decade, leading to increased scrutiny over their operational safety.

Officials also noted that the Army is planning a phased replacement of these helicopters with modern light utility helicopters over the next several years, including locally manufactured units and leased aircraft as a stopgap measure.Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactured these helicopters under licence, is responsible for their maintenance.The investigation continues as authorities aim to determine the precise technical fault that led to the accident.