A tragic helicopter crash in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including a two-year-old child and the pilot. The accident occurred early Sunday as the Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter, registered as VT-BKA, was transporting Hindu pilgrims from the revered Kedarnath temple to Guptkashi, a journey popular among devotees during the summer pilgrimage season.
According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department, the helicopter departed from Kedarnath at approximately 5:19 AM, just after landing from its initial flight from Guptkashi. Within minutes, the aircraft lost contact and crashed near Gaurikund, a forested area along the pilgrimage route. Authorities suspect that poor visibility and adverse weather conditions contributed to the crash, with preliminary assessments pointing to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Rescue operations were immediately launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), but all occupants were found dead at the scene. The victims included the pilot, Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, and a family of three—Vikramatod Dev Tris Singh, his wife Shraddha Jaiswal, and their young daughter, Kashi.
This incident comes just three days after a devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which killed more than 270 people when a Boeing 787 struck a residential area shortly after takeoff. The only survivor of that crash remains under medical observation, with hospital officials stating, “He is doing very well and will be ready to be discharged anytime soon”.
In response to the helicopter tragedy, Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister convened a high-level meeting with aviation authorities, emphasizing that “aviation safety is non-negotiable.” The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has since imposed stricter protocols and reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to pilgrimage sites in the region.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has commenced a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, families of the victims have begun submitting DNA samples to aid in identification and the claiming of remains.
