Iran releases final verdict on Ebrahim Raisi helicopter crash

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran released a final report on Sunday regarding the helicopter crash that killed late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions.

The report attributes the crash to severe weather conditions rather than mechanical failure or external interference, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA.

The report concludes that the primary cause of the crash was complex springtime weather conditions.

Specifically, a sudden dense fog bank caused the helicopter to ascend rapidly and collide with a mountain.

The report ruled out other potential causes, including mechanical issues or sabotage.

Key findings from the investigation include:

• All maintenance and repair records of the helicopter, from its purchase until the incident, were reviewed. This included major repairs and parts replacements, all of which were found to meet required safety standards.
• The helicopter was following its designated flight path and did not deviate from it.
• Inspections of the helicopter’s remaining parts, including engines, power transmission systems, fuel systems, and electronic equipment, were conducted by experts from the Iran Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the Minister of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran, revealing no defects.
• Weather reports from the National Meteorological Organization confirmed that conditions on the day of the crash were as predicted, with no emergency declarations made by the pilot.
• Forensic analysis of the victims’ bodies and the helicopter’s components showed no signs of tampering or poisoning.

The report also investigated the possibility of external factors such as electronic warfare or targeted attacks but found no evidence supporting these claims.