Seven Dead as Helicopter Crashes Near Kedarnath Shrine in Uttarakhand
A helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district amidst poor visibility, killing all seven onboard: five pilgrims, the pilot, and a temple committee employee. The Bell 407 chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi. This incident marks another tragedy in a series of recent air accidents in the state, prompting urgent calls for enhanced aviation safety measures.
Unpacked:
Helicopter accidents on the Char Dham Yatra route are occurring at an alarming frequency due to the challenging mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather, and poor visibility conditions, which make flying particularly hazardous in this region.
Following the crash, the Uttarakhand government suspended helicopter services for two days and began comprehensive safety reviews for mountain aviation operations to prevent further accidents.
The victims included five pilgrims, one temple committee employee, and Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, the pilot. The pilot was an Indian Army veteran with over 15 years of experience flying in difficult terrains.
Helicopter crashes in the Kedarnath region are typically caused by adverse weather conditions such as dense fog and poor visibility, compounded by the region’s narrow, mountainous terrain that limits pilots’ maneuverability.