Mi-17 accident at Peshawar, PK, 15 Aug 2025 (AP-BIL)

Accident narrative

Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT ACCIDENT OF Mi-17 HELICOPTER REG. NO AP-BIL OPERATED BY DGAKP CRASHED NEAR TEHSIL PINDALI, MOHMAND AGENCY, KPK PAKISTAN ON 15-08-2025

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sr No

Subject

1

Brief Description

2

Scope of Investigation

3

Helicopter Operations

4

Timeline

5

Accident Site

6

Site Visits

7

Wreckage Recovery

8

FDR / CVR Read out

9

Medical Examination

10

Lab Testing

11

Preliminary Findings

12

Way Forward

13

Summary

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1. Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) Russian Federation and General Headquarters for provision of technical support for Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder readout in the investigation process. 2. Provision of security cover to the investigation team by Ministry of Defence, KPK Government, 11 Corps Pak Army and Frontier Corps at Pindali crash site and safeguard of wreckage at site and during transportation. 3. Administrative support provided by DGAKP, DC & AC Mohmand Agency, Rescue 1122, Local police, APM Peshawar, Base Cdr PAF Base Peshawar and CSO BKIAP for facilitating investigation team at BKIAP, onsite visits, accommodation, security cover, wreckage recovery & transportation. Moreover, dedicated provision of airlift and ensured availability of maintenance personnel by DGAKP facilitated BASIP investigation team during daily crash site visit for identification and recovery of wreckage. 4. Expeditious conduct of toxicology and forensic testing by Khyber Medical College Forensic Department and Punjab Forensic Lab. 5. All out support provided to BASIP investigation during the course of investigation by Ministry of Defence (Additional Secretary IV), KPK Govt (Chief/ Principle/ Administrative Secretaries), Director General Airport Security Force (ASF), Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authorly (PCAA), Director General Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) and General Headquarters (SD Dte, AFM Dte, MI Dte).

SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION This safety investigation is being conducted by Bureau of Aircraft Safety Investigation Pakistan (BASIP) in accordance with Annex-13 to the ICAO Convention, and Pakistan Air Safety Investigation Act 2023. The sole objective of this safety investigation is the prevention of accidents and incidents of similar nature without apportioning blame or liability. Accordingly, it is inappropriate to use BASIP preliminary investigation report to assign fault or blame or determine liability, since neither the investigation nor the reporting process has been undertaken for that purpose. This information is published for the aviation industry and public, referring to the general circumstances of this event, in line with the ICAO Annex-13 para 7.1 and 7.5. Extracts of this preliminary report may not be further published without permission from BASIP.

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT ACCIDENT OF Mi-17 HELICOPTER REG. NO AP-BIL OPERATED BY DGAKP CRASHED NEAR TEHSIL PINDALI, MOHMAND AGENCY, KPK PAKISTAN ON 15-08-2025 Brief Description 1. On 15 August 2025 at 1008 hrs, Mi-17 helicopter Reg. AP-BIL departed Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIAP), Peshawar, for Boys Scout Helipad, Khar, on instructions from the KPK Government for immediate positioning to support flood-relief operations near Salarzai village (Srowano Upper Hill of Jibrarri), KPK. There were five persons on board: two aircrew, one flight engineer, one crew chief, and one radio technician. 2. At 0905 hrs, a KPK Government official assigned the mission to the Director General DGAKP, who relayed it to the Chief Pilot at 0907 hrs. Maintenance personnel were informed and arrived at the helipad between 0900–0930 hrs; preflight inspection began at approximately 0915 hrs. Aircrew reached the flight line at 0943 and 0946 hrs, and commenced 360° preflight checks at 0953 hrs. Engine start occurred at 0958 hrs, taxi at 1004 hrs, and take-off at 1008 hrs. 3. As per the original plan, the helicopter was to fly directly from BKIAP to Salarzai Village for a rescue mission. Since contact with the Salarzai local administration could not be established prior to take-off, both pilots informed their supervisor and were instructed to proceed instead to Khar (a location near Salarzai). The flight was planned to Boys Scout Helipad, Khar, at an altitude of 4,500 ft. 4. It is pertinent to note that Salarzai lies within a security-threat area where flight operations cannot be conducted without prior clearance from the relevant law-enforcement agency. This was highlighted to the supervisor by one of the aircrew, who also expressed reservations about operating in the area due to security risks. Furthermore, the Khushal Control frequency (the security agency controlling air traffic in threat areas) was transmitted to the pilots by the ground crew via text message after lift-off. 5. At approximately 10 NM from BKIAP, while changing over from Peshawar Tower to Cherat North frequency, the pilot requested to maintain 2,500 ft due clouds. Upon establishing contact, Cherat Approach North instructed the aircraft to establish two-way communication with Khushal Control. According to the available RT extract, no formal changeover to Khushal Control occurred. Requisite approvals from Air Headquarters are being obtained to access the radar data and full radio transcript. 6. The estimated flying time from Peshawar to Khar was approximately 30–35 minutes; however, no information regarding the helicopter’s arrival had been received even after one 1 of 23

Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

hour. Multiple attempts to establish contact through radio, mobile phone, and landline were unsuccessful. In parallel, a Pakistan Army helicopter departed Peshawar and, while flying inside the valley approximately 3 NM west of the crash site and avoiding adverse weather, landed safely at Khar. Additionally, another DGAKP helicopter departed at approximately 1230 hrs for Daggar, KPK, and also attempted to locate the missing helicopter. Due to prevailing weather conditions, it remained about 15 NM southeast of the crash site and, after completing its task in Daggar, proceeded to Khar. 7. Information regarding the missing helicopter was reported to BASIP at 1400 hrs. At approximately 1600 hrs, once weather conditions had improved, a DGAKP helicopter en-route from Khar to Daggar and thereafter to Peshawar continued its search along the Malakand Hills. The crash site was subsequently located near Pindali Village at an altitude of 3,194 ft. Due to fuel limitations, the aircraft recovered back to Peshawar. The accident was confirmed to all concerned agencies by 1630 hrs. After refuelling, two rescue sorties were conducted between 1630–1830 hrs by the DGAKP helicopter for the recovery of the five deceased persons. 8. As a result of the accident, all five Pakistani nationals on board sustained fatal injuries at the crash site. The bodies were recovered and transported to Khyber Medical College Forensic Department for toxicology and DNA testing. Following receipt of DNA test results from the Punjab Forensic Laboratory, Lahore, the remains were handed over to their respective heirs by DGAKP on 18 August 2025. Helicopter Operations 9. The helicopter was owned by DGAKP for VIP movement and was also being used for relief operations on the instruction of KPK Government. Timeline for Accident (PST) 10. 085909. 02 Airframe technicians proceeded directly to the helicopter after entering through the airport entry gate and commenced pre-flight procedures. 11. 090500. DG DGAKP received call from Official of Chief Minister (CM), KPK Secretariat for rescue operation near Salarzai village. 12. 090700. Chief Pilot was informed by DG DGAKP regarding the mission received from KPK Govt and was further informed to aircrew appox at 0907-0910 hrs. 13. 091909. 01 Electric technician directly arrived on the helicopter after crossing airport entry gate and commenced pre-flight. 14.

092100.

Refueler reached the helipad for refuelling.

15.

092157.

Flight Engineer arrived at Helipad in uniform and commenced pre-flight.

16.

092356.

Helicopter refuelling began without the fire extinguisher at the helipad. 2 of 23

Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

17.

092733.

Helicopter batteries were brought to helipad for installation.

18.

092745.

Fire extinguishers were positioned at helipad.

19.

092902.

B1 Engg (limited) official arrived at helipad after crossing airport entry gate.

20.

093400

Helicopter refuelling stopped and refueler left the helipad at 093704.

21.

094332.

1st pilot reached DGAKP office complex.

22.

094543

2nd pilot reached DGAKP office complex.

23.

094630

Flight Engineer left helipad for office complex for briefing (probably).

24.

095153

Flight Engineer came back to helipad.

25. 095329. Both pilots arrived at helipad for preflight (01 was seen smoking and other was busy on telephone during preflight). 26.

095516.

Both aircrew seated in aircraft (Captain of day seated on right seat).

27.

095754.

Left engine started.

28.

100034

Right engine started.

29.

100345.

Tea bar official brought tea for aircrew during running engine.

30.

100440.

Helicopter taxied out.

31.

100756.

Helicopter Lift off

32.

101136.

AP-BIL changed over to Cherat North

Meteorological Information 33. At the time of the occurrence, Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) and actual observations (METAR) for Peshawar Airport (OPPS) indicated marginal weather conditions. 34. TAF 15 August, 2025. Predicted winds from 050° at 8 kt, visibility around 4 km in smoke, scattered cloud at 4,000 ft and broken at 8,000 ft, with temporary deterioration to 3 km in thunderstorms with few CB030 and rain between 1100 -1500 hrs . 35. METAR 15 August, 2025 (1000-1200 hrs). Winds from 110° at 4 kt, visibility reduced to 2 km in smoke/haze, few clouds at 1,000 ft, scattered at 4,000 ft, broken at 10,000 ft, temperature 29 - 31 °C, dew point 25 - 27 °C, and QNH 1003 -1004 hPa. 36. En-route Weather Observations. Light winds, 8 km visibility, scattered to broken cloud layers at 4,000 - 10,000 ft and high humidity, with isolated rain reported. These conditions were conducive to reduced visibility and potential convective activity in the vicinity of the route and destination airport.

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

Accident Site Accident site is located 3194 ft AMSL 356° 19.6 NM from RW35 threshold BKIAP. Helicopter main wreckage lies at position 33°18’32’’ N 71°29’30’’ E.

N

Figure 1 View of Heli Route and Altitude of the Area N

Crash Site Probable First Impact Point

Figure 2 View of Crash Site Altitude at 3,144 ft with the Surrounding 4 of 23

Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

N

Figure 3 Closer View of Crash Site in Northerly Direction N

Crash Site Probable First Impact Point

Figure 4 Closer View of Crash Site in Westerly Direction

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

Nose Impact Point

Helicopter tilted backward after impact

Left Cabin Door Engine MGB Tail Boom

Figure 5 Aerial View of AP-BIL wreckage – Day 1

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Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

Nose Impact Point

Helicopter tilted backward after impact

Left Cabin Door

MGB

Engine Tail Boom Engine

Figure 6 Aerial View of AP-BIL wreckage – Day 2 7 of 23

Preliminary Investigation Report Mi-17 Helicopter Crash AP-BIL, 15 August 2025

Figure 7 Aerial View of AP-BIL wreckage – Day 2

Place used for Heli landing near crash s