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 season.The 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 crash.advertisementSOME 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 year.Safety 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 passengers.REGULATORY 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 region.advertisementAfter the Gaurikund crash, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a probe and the Rudraprayag district magistrate also initiated a magisterial inquiry.HERE'S 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 injuries.May 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 unharmed.May 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 improved.May 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 Uttarkashi.advertisementAugust 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 incident.May 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 unhurt.October 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 Kedarnath.September 2019: A helicopter crashed in Kedarnath but nobody was hurt. Six pilgrims were aboard the private chopper.May 2019: An Air Force helicopter crash-landed in Kedarnath.advertisementApril 2018: One person was killed and three others injured when an Air Force cargo helicopter caught fire while landing in Kedarnath.June 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 Kedarnath.June 21, 2013: A helicopter of private carrier Prabhatam Aviation crashed while on its way to Gaurikund during a flood rescue operation.July 24, 2013: A helicopter crash occurred in a valley in Kedarnath. The co-pilot and the engineer were killed in the accident.Must Watch
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Hindustan Times
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In its statement on Sunday, the civil aviation ministry said operations of Aryan Aviation for the Char Dham Yatra have been suspended with immediate effect. It added that two helicopters belonging to TransBharat Aviation were found to also be airborne under similar 'unsuitable weather conditions'. 'Accordingly, the licences of both pilots have been suspended for six months. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has reiterated aviation safety is non-negotiable and that no operator should undertake flights in violation of weather-related and other protocols,' it said. Late in the evening, an FIR was registered against Aryan Aviation's accountable manager Kaushik Pathak and manager Vikas Tomar under BNS Section 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and relevant sections of the Vayuyan Act on the complaint of revenue sub inspector Rajiv Nakholia. 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