A helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed in the early hours of Sunday in the dense forest near Gaurikund, Uttarakhand, killing all seven people aboard, including the pilot. The aircraft was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it encountered severe weather and went off course.

This marks the fifth helicopter-related incident in the state in the past month and a half, raising serious questions about aerial safety in the region.

Poor Visibility Blamed for Fatal Accident

The ill-fated flight took off at 5:17 am, carrying six passengers along with pilot Rajveer. According to preliminary reports, dense fog and adverse weather conditions caused the helicopter to deviate from its intended flight path. Authorities believe these factors were instrumental in the crash.

Swift Rescue Operations

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), led by Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, immediately moved to the crash site, which lies in a rugged and remote part of the forest. They were joined by personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local law enforcement agencies in a joint effort to manage the situation.

The deceased have been identified as Rajveer (pilot), Vikram Rawat, Vinod, Trishti Singh, Rajkuma, Shraddha, and 10-year-old Rashi.

As a precaution, helicopter services in the Char Dham area have been suspended for two days.

Chief Minister Orders Safety Audit

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the victims' families. Speaking to the media, he said that the crash appeared to have been caused by deteriorating weather conditions and reiterated that aviation rules must be strictly enforced.

He added that pilots assigned to the Himalayan region must have specific training and prior experience in navigating such challenging terrains. Aviation companies have been directed to ensure compliance with these requirements.

Action Taken Against Pilots Flying in Unsafe Conditions

In a related development, it was revealed that two TransBharat Aviation helicopters had been operating despite poor weather warnings. As a result, the licences of both pilots involved have been suspended for six months.

Emergency Meeting and New Safety Protocols

A high-level emergency meeting was convened in Dehradun, chaired by CM Dhami, to evaluate the circumstances of the crash. Key state officials and representatives from aviation, tourism, and disaster management departments took part, along with field officers connected via video conference.

During the meeting, it was decided that a technical committee would be formed to thoroughly examine the safety standards of helicopter operations in the state. The committee will draft a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at ensuring safer and more transparent operations.

An existing investigation panel, which is already reviewing earlier helicopter accidents in the region, has also been tasked with probing this latest tragedy. Their mandate includes identifying gaps in oversight and recommending appropriate disciplinary measures.

Chief Minister Dhami emphasised the critical role of helicopter services in pilgrimage routes, disaster response, and emergency situations, stressing that passenger safety must be the foremost priority going forward.