Disengagement of the Indian Air Force helicopter’s tail rotor may have led it to its crash near Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang town on October 6, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Sunday, according to PTI. Five Indian Air Force officers and two from the Indian Army were killed when the Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed at Yangchi, 130 km from Tawang, during a training sortie, and burst into flames.

“It will not be proper for me to say why it [the tail rotor] came off as a court of inquiry has already been ordered to probe the crash,” Dhanoa said after paying homage to the personnel during the 85th anniversary of the Indian Air Force.

“I think there is no problem in the machine as the chopper is flying even today,” he added. The helicopter was on an air maintenance mission when it crashed at 6 am. The Russia-made Mi-17 V5 is considered one of the world’s most advanced military transport helicopters. India has more than 150 such choppers in service, and has reportedly ordered for 48 more.

Earlier in the day, Dhanoa had said the Indian Air Force was prepared to fight a war at a short notice, and security at all Air Force stations has been enhanced to counter any threats.