Picture Credits: uksdrf (X)
Uttarakhand, India: A Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in a remote forested area near Garudchatti shortly after departing from Kedarnath, killing all seven people on board. The helicopter, which took off at around 5:30 a.m., was en route to Guptkashi when it reportedly encountered dense fog and poor visibility, leading to loss of control and a fatal impact into a hillside near Trijuginarayan.
The victims included five pilgrims:
- Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan – Pilot
- Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal and their two-year-old daughter Kashi – Uttar Pradesh
- Tushti Singh – Uttar Pradesh
- Vikram Singh Rawat – Uttarakhand
- Vinod Neg – Temple Committee Staff member
A retired Indian Army officer, Captain Chauhan had over 2,000 hours of flying experience. The impact caused the helicopter to catch fire, leaving all seven occupants charred beyond recognition. Their remains were taken to Rudraprayag District Hospital for identification and medical procedures.
Eyewitnesses in nearby villages reported hearing a loud explosion minutes after the helicopter disappeared from sight. Local police and emergency responders reached the crash site swiftly, though the difficult terrain hampered access.
Picture Credits: uksdrf (X)
Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation into the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the inquiry. Sonprayag Police have filed a case under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and under Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, holding Aryan Aviation and its executives accountable for operating flights despite reported poor weather conditions in the area.
In immediate response, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered the suspension of all helicopter operations in the Char Dham circuit until further notice. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has also been directed to audit all existing helicopter operators and enforce stricter compliance with aviation safety standards.
This is not the first fatal crash in the region. The Kedarnath route has seen several aviation accidents in the past decade:
- On May 8, 2025, another Bell helicopter (VT-OXF) crashed into a deep gorge near Gangnani, Uttarkashi, during a Yamunotri pilgrimage flight. Six people died, and one passenger survived with critical injuries.
- On October 18, 2022, a Kestrel Aviation Bell 407 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Kedarnath, killing all seven occupants.
- The deadliest incident occurred on June 25, 2013, during the Uttarakhand floods, when an Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter carrying rescue personnel crashed north of Gaurikund, killing 20 onboard, including IAF crew and NDRF members.
These incidents, along with non-fatal emergency landings in recent months, have raised concerns over helicopter operations in high-altitude pilgrimage zones. Factors like sudden weather changes, difficult topography, and pressure to maintain tight flight schedules have been repeatedly cited in previous DGCA reports.
According to official records and media reports, at least 40 people have died in helicopter accidents linked to Uttarakhand’s Char Dham region since 2013, making it one of the most hazardous civilian helicopter corridors in the country. Safety recommendations such as mandating twin-engine helicopters, advanced weather monitoring systems, and restricting operations to highly experienced pilots have been discussed but not uniformly implemented.
Aviation regulators are now expected to fast-track new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to pilgrimage routes. These may include real-time weather surveillance at helipads, coordination with local authorities before takeoff, and stricter penalties for violating operational norms during marginal conditions.
Families of the deceased are expected to receive compensation from both the operator and the state government, pending the outcome of the inquiry. Further announcements are likely following the submission of the preliminary AAIB report.
