Iran finds no sabotage in Raisi’s fatal helicopter crash
The Iranian General Staff has released a second preliminary report on the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi and accompanying officials, stating that there was no evidence of sabotage or electronic warfare interference.
According to the report, initial meteorological information indicated that weather conditions were favorable for the flight from Tabriz to Agbend Bridge and Kizkalesi Dam.
However, based on the pilots’ testimonies in the other two helicopters, a more detailed examination of the weather conditions during the return flight is necessary.
The report also stated that an inspection of the maintenance and repair documents for the crashed helicopter revealed no issues that could have contributed to the accident.
Calculations and examinations revealed that the helicopter’s passenger and equipment capacity, as well as its maximum standard weight at the start of the flight, during takeoff, landing and return route, were within permissible limits.
In interviews with other pilots, it was noted that communication between the pilots last occurred 69 seconds before the crash, and no emergency or interruption was reported during that time.
No evidence of sabotage, electronic warfare
The report concluded that examinations of the helicopter’s debris and the distribution of its parts, along with samples taken from the site, revealed no evidence of sabotage or electronic warfare interference. The report announced the continuation of investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash and to share the findings.
In the first preliminary report issued by the General Staff, it was noted that no bullet or external object was found on the helicopter wreckage and that a fire had broken out in the helicopter after the crash.
Tragic helicopter crash
Last Sunday, following a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the Azerbaijan-Iran border, the helicopter carrying President Raisi and his delegation made a hard landing in the Dizmar forest between the villages of Berazin and Erdeshiri in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province on its return journey.
After a night-long search operation, Iranian officials, guided by the location identified by a Turkish Akinci UAV, reached the wreckage in the early morning.
The wreckage contained the bodies of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azerbaijan Governor Malik Rahmeti and other officials.
