Uttarakhand Air Safety Questioned After Fifth Helicopter Mishap in 40 Days
The recent helicopter crash near Kedarnath is reportedly the fifth such accident in Uttarakhand in approximately 40 days, raising serious concerns about aviation safety. This series of incidents underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of operational standards, aircraft maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols for helicopter services operating in Uttarakhand's challenging mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions, particularly for pilgrim and tourist transport.
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Preliminary investigations indicate that adverse weather conditions, particularly dense fog and near-zero visibility, have been major factors in recent helicopter crashes. Technical snags and emergency landings due to poor visibility and challenging terrain also contributed to these incidents.
Following the latest crash, the Uttarakhand chief minister ordered strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for helicopter services and temporarily halted flights for two days. There is a push for a comprehensive review of safety protocols and operational standards to improve aviation safety in the region.
The latest crash killed all seven on board: the pilot, a temple committee staff member, and five pilgrims. Victims included a woman and her two-year-old child from Maharashtra, a man from Gujarat, and three others from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Helicopter services are vital in Uttarakhand due to its challenging mountainous terrain and the high influx of pilgrims and tourists, especially along the Char Dham Yatra routes. They provide faster and more accessible transportation to remote shrines and locations that are otherwise hard to reach by road.