7 Killed in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash; 5th Incident in Six Weeks Sparks Safety Review
In a tragic incident on Sunday morning, a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in the dense forests of Gaurikund, Uttarakhand, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot. The helicopter was on its way from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi when it reportedly lost its course due to severe weather and poor visibility.
The flight took off at 5:17 am from Kedarnath, carrying six passengers and the pilot. The deceased have been identified as Pilot Rajveer, Vikram Rawat, Vinod, Trishti Singh, Rajkuma, Shraddha, and 10-year-old Rashi. All perished as the helicopter crashed into the forested hills shortly after takeoff.
This marks the fifth helicopter accident in Uttarakhand within the last six weeks, raising serious concerns over aviation safety in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas.
Following the crash, a swift search and rescue operation was launched. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, under Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, were deployed to the remote crash site, supported by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police. However, all efforts to save those onboard were in vain, as the wreckage revealed no survivors.
In the wake of the tragedy, helicopter services across the Char Dham region have been suspended for two days as a precautionary measure and for operational review.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. “The incident is heartbreaking. I pray for the departed souls and their families. An emergency meeting has been held, and we have issued immediate directives to ensure strict adherence to DGCA regulations,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that pilots operating in the upper Himalayan region must possess prior flying experience in such conditions. He added that aviation operators must strictly comply with these norms to avoid such preventable disasters.
The incident also prompted disciplinary action. Two helicopters operated by TransBharat Aviation were found to be flying despite unsuitable weather conditions. Consequently, the licenses of both pilots have been suspended for six months.
A high-level emergency meeting was convened in Dehradun, chaired by CM Dhami. Key officials from the Chief Secretary’s office, Tourism and Civil Aviation departments, Disaster Management Authority, UCADA, DGCA, and the Directorate of Information were in attendance, alongside field officials who joined via video conferencing.
The meeting focused on reviewing initial findings, enhancing safety protocols, and ensuring better coordination between regulatory agencies and private aviation operators.
Chief Minister Dhami directed the formation of a technical committee to comprehensively review all safety and technical standards related to helicopter operations in the region. The panel is expected to draft a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to improve transparency, compliance, and safety.
Additionally, a separate high-level inquiry committee that is already probing past crashes will now include Sunday’s accident in its investigation. The panel will examine operational lapses, weather-related decision-making, and pilot qualifications, and recommend actions against any violations found.
The CM reiterated the importance of heli services in Uttarakhand for pilgrimage, emergency response, and disaster management, stating that ensuring their safety is a top government priority.
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