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NDTV
7 days ago
- General
- NDTV
No Radars, Weather Updates Behind Rise In Uttarakhand Chopper Crashes
Sunday's chopper crash in Uttarakhand was the fifth helicopter accident in the last six weeks that has triggered outrage and concern among people and has sent officials scrambling for answers. Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand. The Chardham yatra involves Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. Social activist Anoop Nautiyal on Monday asked aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) to halt helicopter operations on the Chardham Yatra route for the entire pilgrimage season this year, urging the government to build an infrastructure suitable for safe flying in the challenging Himalayan terrain. "Since we have had five heli crashes in the past 6 weeks, why can't you simply put a complete stop on helicopter operations for this year's yatra season. This time should be utilised in preparing the much needed infrastructure for aero safety on the Char Dham Yatra route," Mr Nautiyal posted on X addressing the DGCA. He emphasised that the lives of pilots and pilgrims are at risk with "no Air Traffic Control (ATC), no radars and no real-time weather updates". Five adults, an infant and one crew member were on board the Aryan Aviation's Bell 407 helicopter operating in the "Shri Kedarnath Ji - Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi" sector that crashed on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement. The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 am before departing again at 05:19 am for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30 am and 05:45 am, the statement said. A case has been registered against helicopter service operating firm Aryan Aviation Private Ltd for alleged negligence in connection with the chopper crash which killed all seven people on board, including a two-year-old child and the pilot. The complaint states that Aryan Aviation was allotted the first slot from 6 am to 7 am for helicopter operations on June 15, while this accident happened before that at 5:30 am. The first flying slot opens at 6 am. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami said it has been decided to set up a common "Command and Coordination Center" in Dehradun for better coordination and safe operation of helicopters. Here's a look at previous accidents: On May 8, a helicopter going to Gangotri Dham crashed in Uttarkashi district in which six people were killed. On June 7, a helicopter going to Kedarnath had to make an emergency landing on the road due to a technical fault soon after take-off in which the pilot was injured but the five devotees on board were rescued safely. On May 12, a helicopter returning from Badrinath to Sersi with pilgrims on board had to make an emergency landing in a school playground in Ukhimath due to poor visibility. All pilgrims were safe. On May 17, a heli ambulance from AIIMS Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad in Uttarakhand due to damage to its rear part. Fortunately, all three occupants on board - a doctor, a pilot, and a medical staff member - escaped unharmed In contrast to last 14 years, 13 helicopter accidents have happened in the Kedarnath Valley in which 41 people have died. A helicopter operator, who previously ran a helicopter service in Kedarnath valley, pointed out that the companies providing helicopter services here keep the helicopter circling around Kedarnath without stopping, suggesting it as one of the reasons behind the rise in accidents. The operator did not wish to be named. The companies that provide service in the Kedarnath valley are given Shuttle Flying Slots every 10 days by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). According to these shuttle flying slots, the aviation companies fly their helicopters in the Kedarnath valley and take the devotees for the visit and darshan of Kedarnath Dham. "The helicopter flights to Kedarnath are conducted as per DGCA norms i.e. SOP. An aviation company has permission to fly three times in an hour from Guptkashi and an aviation company flies four times in an hour from Phata and Sirsi," said UCADA CEO Sonika. The officer said that the ATC has a weather station in Kedarnath, the weather office IMD is also going to set up its station there and "we also have weather surveillance cameras", adding that weather is so unpredictable and the terrain so difficult that safety measures will have to be put in place. How many trips are helicopter companies allowed to make? The companies operate from three helipads in Kedarnath Dham. Helicopter services run from Guptkashi, Phata, Sirsi helipads. Nine aviation companies are providing services in Kedarnath valley and each company gets 7 to 8 hours flying slots. In this 8-hour slot, the helicopter gets 25 minutes for refuelling after every hour. Apart from this, each company has two pilots as per the time given to the company. If 8-hour flying slots are given, then one pilot will fly for 4 hours and the other for 4 hours. If 7-hour flying slots is given, then one pilot will fly for 3:30 hours and the other will fly for 3:30 hours. Apart from this, when the helicopter returns after completing the last flying slot, it is mandatory to have 100 litres of fuel in it, according to the DGCA rules. NDTV has learnt that an aviation company gets approximately 24 trips a day from Guptkashi, 32 trips a day from Phata and approximately 32 trips a day from Sirsi. According to the DGCA rules, 6 helicopters can fly at a time in Kedarnath valley. After the completion of the time of three helicopters, three more helicopters can fly, that is, 6 helicopters can fly regularly in Kedarnath valley at a time, in which 6 helicopters will fly towards Kedarnath and three helicopters will fly back from Kedarnath to Guptkashi Phata and Sirsi. A former helicopter operator told NDTV that Kedarnath valley is the most difficult flying zone for helicopters because the weather mostly turns bad from Rambada to Jungle Chatti or there is fog and clouds in the valley which make it difficult to fly the helicopter. Additionally, single engine helicopters fly here and they have to fly in the valley itself because the wind flows downwards from Kedarnath to Gauri Kund and Sonprayag. All the four dhams in Uttarakhand are in the Himalayan region above 3,000 meters, where the weather creates the biggest problem for the helicopters. What's the weight that helicopters can carry? The helicopters are not allowed to take off with a full tank. Also, the weight of passengers cannot exceed 380 kg and the luggage of each passenger should not be more than 2 kg. One of the major reasons for the accidents is that there is no Air Traffic Control System due to which there is a lot of difficulty in monitoring the helicopter service. Also, there is no weather office here so that information about bad weather can be immediately given to the helicopter pilots, which can help in preventing these accidents. "Officers of DGCA and other agencies will be permanently placed here. An integrated command control coordination and communication centre will be developed here," said Anand Vardhan, Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand.
India Today
15-06-2025
- India Today
Chardham helicopter services suspended for two days after Kedarnath crash
Helicopter services on the Chardham yatra route were suspended for two days on Sunday in the wake of the crash of a chopper returning from people, including the pilot, were killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who held an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, said heli services will remain suspended for two days as the weather is bad and the safety of passengers is the state government's top He also told officials at the meeting to issue a strict SOP for heli operations in the state and set up a control and command centre here, besides taking action against those responsible for the crash."There should not be any laxity regarding compliance with DGCA norms in helicopter operations in the state. It should also be ensured that the pilots flying in the upper Himalayan region are experienced," Dhami said after the emergency Secretary Anand Bardhan, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, UCADA (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority) and DGCA officials attended the meeting, held via video attributed the crash to inclement weather and said heli operations will remain suspended for two days on Sunday and Monday."The weather is also bad and the safety of pilgrims is paramount. There will be no heli services today and tomorrow. Aviation companies, DGCA and UCADA have been asked to review the situation thoroughly before resuming heli operations", he crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand. The Chardham yatra involves Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri latest crash involving an Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd chopper returning from Kedarnath near Guptkashi on Sunday morning is the fifth helicopter accident on the pilgrimage route since the start of the yatra on April 30.
India Today
15-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Uttarakhand sees another chopper crash in 6 weeks. Why does it keep happening
The helicopter crash in Uttarakhand's Gaurikund forest, which killed all seven aboard, has raised serious concerns about the safety of passengers. The incident, the fifth such chopper crash in six weeks, marks the second such midair disaster in Uttarakhand this year during the Char Dham pilgrimage Aryan Aviation helicopter took off at 5.17 am for Guptkashi after picking up passengers from Kedarnath. It reportedly veered off course due to severe weather conditions in the valley. Officials confirmed that poor visibility and harsh weather likely contributed to the CAUSES OF PAST HELICOPTER CRASHESBad weather - Inclement weather conditions, such as poor visibility, can increase the risk of accidents. In a previous incident on August 31, 2024, a damaged helicopter being airlifted by an Indian Air Force MI-17 chopper crashed due to loss of balance caused by wind and weight. Technical issues - Mechanical failures or technical snags can also lead to accidents. The helicopter involved in the August 31 incident had previously experienced technical issues, including an emergency landing near Kedarnath on May 24 last protocols - Ensuring adherence to safety protocols is crucial. The competition among helicopter companies might lead to prioritising profits over safety, which can compromise the well-being of OVERSIGHTThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) are responsible for regulating and overseeing helicopter operations in the the Gaurikund crash, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a probe and the Rudraprayag district magistrate also initiated a magisterial A LIST OF PREVIOUS HELICOPTER CRASHES IN UTTARAKHANDJune 7, 2025: A helicopter on its way to Kedarnath was forced to land on a highway in Uttarakhand after developing a technical snag during take-off. It came dangerously close to buildings, and its tail rotor fell on a parked car. Five pilgrims on board came out safely, while the pilot sustained minor 17, 2025: A heli ambulance from AIIMS, Rishikesh, on its way to Kedarnath to airlift an ailing pilgrim, crash-landed in Rudraprayag district due to damage to its rear part. Fortunately, all three occupants on board - a doctor, a pilot and a medical staff member - escaped 12, 2025: A helicopter returning from Badrinath to Sersi with pilgrims on board was forced to make an emergency landing due to poor visibility in a school playground in Ukhimath. All pilgrims were safe. The helicopter took off again after about an hour when the weather 8, 2025: Six people died and one person sustained critical injuries when a helicopter ferrying passengers to the Gangotri shrine lost altitude and plunged into a gorge near Gangnani village in 31, 2024: A damaged helicopter being airlifted from Kedarnath, underslung to an Air Force Mi-17 helicopter, crashed to the ground after it became unstable and was jettisoned mid-air. No casualties was reported in the incident. The Air Force ordered an inquiry into the 24, 2024: A helicopter carrying six pilgrims had to make an emergency landing in Kedarnath due to a technical glitch. The helicopter developed a technical snag in its rear motor, prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing approximately 100 metres before the helipad. All the passengers and the pilot escaped 18, 2022: As many as seven people, including a pilot, died in a helicopter crash near Kedarnath. The incident took place in Garud Chatti, approximately 2 km from Kedarnath. It took off from Guptkashi and was on its way to Kedarnath. The Aryan Aviation helicopter had taken off from the Phata helipad at Guptkashi and was on its way to 2019: A helicopter crashed in Kedarnath but nobody was hurt. Six pilgrims were aboard the private 2019: An Air Force helicopter crash-landed in 2018: One person was killed and three others injured when an Air Force cargo helicopter caught fire while landing in 25, 2013: At least 20 were dead as an Air Force helicopter crashed during Uttarakhand flood rescue operations. The helicopter was on a rescue mission from Gauchar to Guptkashi and 21, 2013: A helicopter of private carrier Prabhatam Aviation crashed while on its way to Gaurikund during a flood rescue 24, 2013: A helicopter crash occurred in a valley in Kedarnath. The co-pilot and the engineer were killed in the Watch IN THIS STORY#Uttarakhand
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- The Hindu
Helicopter services for Chardham yatra suspended for two days
Helicopter services on the Chardham yatra route were suspended for two days on Sunday in the wake of the crash of a chopper returning from Kedarnath. Seven people, including the pilot, were killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday (June 15, 2025) morning. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who held an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, said helicopter services will remain suspended for two days as the weather is bad and the safety of passengers is the state government's top priority. He also told officials at the meeting to issue a strict SOP for helicopter operations in the State and set up a control and command centre in Dehradun besides taking action against those responsible for the crash. 'There should not be any laxity regarding compliance with DGCA norms in helicopter operations in the state. It should also be ensured that the pilots flying in the upper Himalayan region are experienced,' Mr. Dhami said after the emergency meeting. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, UCADA (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority) and DGCA officials attended the meeting held via video conferencing. Mr. Dhami attributed the crash to inclement weather and said heli operations will remain suspended for two days on Sunday (June 15) and Monday (June 16). 'The weather is also bad and the safety of pilgrims is paramount. There will be no heli services today and tomorrow. Aviation companies, DGCA and UCADA have been asked to review the situation thoroughly before resuming heli operations,' he said. Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand. The Chardham yatra involves Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. The latest crash involving an Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. chopper returning from Kedarnath near Guptkashi on Sunday morning is the fifth helicopter accident on the pilgrimage route since the start of the yatra on April 30.
NDTV
15-06-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
Helicopter Services For Chardham Yatra Suspended For 2 Days After Chopper Crash
Dehradun: Helicopter services on the Chardham yatra route were suspended for two days on Sunday in the wake of the crash of a chopper returning from Kedarnath. Seven people, including the pilot, were killed in the helicopter crash on Sunday morning. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who held an emergency meeting with senior officials to discuss the situation, said heli services will remain suspended for two days as the weather is bad and the safety of passengers is the state government's top priority. He also told officials at the meeting to issue a strict SOP for heli operations in the state and set up a control and command centre here besides taking action against those responsible for the crash. "There should not be any laxity regarding compliance with DGCA norms in helicopter operations in the state. It should also be ensured that the pilots flying in the upper Himalayan region are experienced," Mr Dhami said after the emergency meeting. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, UCADA (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority) and DGCA officials attended the meeting held via video conferencing. Mr Dhami attributed the crash to inclement weather and said heli operations will remain suspended for two days on Sunday and Monday. "The weather is also bad and the safety of pilgrims is paramount. There will be no heli services today and tomorrow. Aviation companies, DGCA and UCADA have been asked to review the situation thoroughly before resuming heli operations, " he said. Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Chardham yatra route in Uttarakhand. The Chardham yatra involves Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. The latest crash involving an Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd chopper returning from Kedarnath near Guptkashi on Sunday morning is the fifth helicopter accident on the pilgrimage route since the start of the yatra on April 30.
