Investigators on Sunday recovered the black box — the cockpit voice recorder — of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s MI-17 helicopter that crashed during a flood relief mission in Mohmand district, ARY News reported.
The helicopter went down on August 15, 2025, while carrying supplies for families hit by floods in Bajaur’s Salarzai area. All five crew members, including the pilot and co-pilot, embraced martyrdom in the crash.
A team of aviation experts from Karachi, assisted by local police, located the black box about 100 meters from the wreckage. Officials said the device was handed over to the authorities for detailed examination. Security personnel sealed the area to protect evidence.
Critical for Investigation
The black box is expected to give investigators crucial details. It stores cockpit recordings and flight data that will help identify whether the crash was caused by bad weather, a technical fault, or human error. Officials said the findings will guide safety measures for future operations.
The MI-17 helicopter, originally designed in Russia, is widely used in Pakistan for troop transport, supply drops, and disaster relief. Analysts note that the aircraft has proven durable but often faces harsh flying conditions in mountainous terrain. They add that regular checks and maintenance are vital to keep such platforms safe for missions.
Flood Impact Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a fresh report on the impact of monsoon rains and flash floods across the province.
According to the report, 313 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents. The dead include 263 men, 29 women, and 21 children. Another 156 people were injured, including 123 men, 23 women, and 10 children.
The floods have also damaged 159 houses. Out of these, 97 were partially damaged while 62 were completely destroyed. Relief workers are carrying out rescue missions in several districts. The KP government has also announced a plan to shift families from vulnerable areas to safer zones.
Strategic Significance
Experts say the loss of the MI-17 is not only a human tragedy but also an operational setback. In remote valleys where roads are cut off, helicopters remain the lifeline for rescue and relief efforts. The incident has renewed calls for upgrading and expanding Pakistan’s helicopter fleet to improve its response in both natural disasters and security operations.
The official accident report will be completed once the black box data is examined in full.
Javeria Sajid is an Aerospace Engineering student from NUST with a background in technology and a sharp focus on the global political landscape and defence innovation. She writes to make complex defence technologies understandable, and aspires to bridge journalism, policy, and engineering in her work.
Muhammad Mudassir
Muhammad Mudassir is a student of Defence and Strategic Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His areas of interest include defence analysis, strategic research, and geopolitical studies.
