Kedarnath Helicopter Accident: Aryan Aviation’s Bell 407 helicopter (Reg. VT-BKA), operating the sector “Shri Kedarnath Ji – Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi,” was involved in a tragic accident today. There were five passengers, one infant, and one crew member on board.
The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 Hrs and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 Hrs. It departed again at 05:19 Hrs for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30–05:45 Hrs.
Preliminary indications suggest that the probable cause may be Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), with the helicopter reportedly airborne despite poor visibility and extensive clouding at the valley entry area. The exact cause will be determined through a detailed investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF teams are currently underway at the crash site.
Following the incident, a high-level meeting was convened by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami at 11:00 Hrs, attended by senior officials of the Government of Uttarakhand, Secretary (Civil Aviation), DGCA, and associated teams. The following immediate actions have been taken:
- Operations of Aryan Aviation for the Char Dham Yatra have been suspended with immediate effect.
- Two helicopters belonging to M/s TransBharat Aviation—VT-TBC (PIC: Capt. Yogesh Grewal, CPL(H)-1453) and VT-TBF (PIC: Capt. Jitender Harjai, CPL(H)-1046)—were found to have been airborne under similar unsuitable weather conditions. Accordingly, the licenses of both pilots have been suspended for six months.
- All charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region have been suspended on 15th and 16th June 2025 as a safety precaution.
- UCADA has been directed to hold a comprehensive review with all operators and pilots before any resumption of services, to ensure full alignment with safety protocols.
- UCADA will also establish a dedicated Command-and-Control Room to monitor real-time operations and ensure immediate escalation of any risk indicators.
- DGCA, has been directed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to immediately post officers from Airworthiness, Safety, and Operations to actively oversee all helicopter activity in the Kedarnath valley and rigorously review the functioning of the UCADA Command-and-Control Room.
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. The Ministry has issued strict instructions to DGCA to enforce all extant provisions with full authority and to ensure that discipline in flying operations is maintained at all costs, given the sanctity of human life.
