Expert rpt dismisses conspiracy behind YSR's crash

Hyderabad, Feb 11: A state government appointed expert committee dismissed foul play and conspiracy behind the chopper crash of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajashekhara Reddy and pinpointed bad weather conditions as the cause for crash.

“There are other factors as well that led to the crash which we have explained in our report. But there was no failure of the helicopter (Bell-430) engine. Similarly, the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) contained no clues about the alleged conspiracy theory in the crash," the two-member committee said.

In a report submitted to the chief minister K Rosaiah on Thursday, Feb 11, committee members HS Khola and MR Reddy said inclement weather was the main reason for the crash in dense jungles of Nalamalla hills.

They have also recommended a system where crucial decisions related to VIP flights could be decided by more than one person or agency.

“This system is being followed for the Prime Minister. As a matter of precaution, we recommended something more," they added.

The earlier Jan 2010 DGCA probe report submitted to the government on the Sep 2009 Bell 430 helicopter crash said that pilot error caused the accident in which YSR, his chief security officer ASC Wesley, pilot group captain SK Bhatia and co pilot MS Reddy were killed on the spot.

OneIndia News