Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: Seven Dead in Uttarakhand Tragedy, CM Orders Stricter SOPs for Heli Services

In a tragic turn of events, a helicopter ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district early Sunday morning, killing all seven people on board. The crash occurred around 5:30 AM and is believed to have been caused by poor weather conditions.

Victims Identified, Including Infant and BKTC Employee

Among the deceased are a family from Maharashtra — Rajkumar Jaiswal, Sharda Jaiswal, and their 23-month-old daughter Kashi — along with two residents from Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, and the pilot, Captain Rajeev from Rajasthan. One of the local victims, Vikram Singh Rawat, was an employee of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).

According to district disaster officials and helicopter nodal officer Rahul Chaubey, the helicopter belonged to Aryan Aviation. Eyewitnesses — local Nepali-origin women cutting grass in the nearby forests — first reported the crash.

Response and Rescue Operations

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed profound grief over the tragedy on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Very sad news received about the helicopter accident in Rudraprayag. SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are involved in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for everyone’s safety.”

Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF, and local authorities swiftly reached the crash site. However, the extent of the damage and charred condition of the bodies made identification difficult. The helicopter reportedly crashed in a forested area above Gauri Mai Khark, about 7 km along the trekking route.

Immediate Aftermath: Heli Services Suspended

In the wake of the crash, heli services to and from Kedarnath have been suspended for two days. CM Dhami convened a high-level virtual meeting from the CM residence with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, CEO of UCADA (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority), and Garhwal Commissioner.

Push for Safer Aerial Operations in Himalayas

Stressing the need for stringent aviation standards in the Himalayan region, CM Dhami ordered the formulation of a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for heli operations. The SOP will mandate:

• Full technical inspection of helicopters before every flight.
• Accurate weather updates prior to takeoff.
• Formation of a technical expert committee to review and enforce safety and operational standards.

AAIB to Investigate

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken over the investigation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the frequency of heli operations to Chardham had already been reduced and that further oversight will follow.

A Pattern of Accidents in Uttarakhand

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of helicopter accidents in Uttarakhand during the Chardham Yatra season:

• June 7, 2025: A Crystal Company helicopter made an emergency landing on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway due to a technical fault shortly after takeoff from Badasu helipad. The pilot sustained injuries but all passengers were safe.
• May 8, 2025: A helicopter operated by Aerotrans crashed near Gangnani on the Gangotri National Highway. Six people died on the spot, and one critically injured person was airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. The chopper had taken off from Sahastradhara for Harsil.

These back-to-back incidents have sparked a demand for a thorough overhaul of aerial pilgrim transport protocols in the state.