Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: 'The helicopter turned a little, went backward, and then...', the real cause of the accident came to light

A case has been filed against two managers of Aryan Company for the helicopter crash in Gaurimai Khark of Gaurikund in Rudraprayag. The revenue sub-inspector of Fata has filed a report against the company in Sonprayag police. It was stated that this accident occurred due to negligence. Although the reason for the helicopter accident is being attributed to bad weather, it is also being considered a result of the heli company's disregard for the rules of UCADA and DGCA. According to the complaint in this regard, it was stated that Aryan Heli Company was allotted a 6 to 7 am time slot at 5:24 am. However, the company started flying the helicopter at 5:11 am itself. The accident occurred at 5:24 am while the helicopter was returning from Kedarnath.

Held responsible for the death of seven people in the accident

It was said in the complaint that DGCA and UCADA had asked to fly according to the flying slot in the SOP issued. Aryan Aviation's base manager Vikas Tomar and accountable manager Kaushik Pathak ignored this, which is gross negligence towards duties. Fata Revenue Sub Inspector has held both the managers of the company directly responsible for the death of seven people in the accident. A case has been registered against them in Kotwali Sonprayag under Section 105 of Indian Penal Code 28/2025, Indian Justice Code 2023, and Section 10 Aircraft Act 1934 vs Vikas Tomar and Kaushik Pathak. Kotwal Rakendra Singh Kathait said that further action is being taken as soon as the case is registered.

On the other hand, Sharmila of Nepali origin, and her sister Sanju, who saw the helicopter crash, have also come forward. They have told the whole story. Both the sisters said that the fog came like Kaal and it cleared in some time as soon as the helicopter fell, by then everything was over. The helicopter fell just twenty meters away from us, which was burning fiercely with fire. When we told the contractor about the incident, he must have told others.

The two women living in Gaurikund had left for Gauri Mai Khark on Sunday at 4 am along with other local women. They cut grass for the horses and mules used in the Yatra. Sharmila said that she had reached Gauri Mai Khark by 5 am, at that time the sky was cloudy, but there was no fog.

Soon after, as soon as a helicopter flew in that area, suddenly there was a thick fog. Due to the fog, the helicopter turned a little and went backward and then came down a little and started moving forward, due to which it hit a tall tree and fell straight to the ground.

Nothing could be heard amid the flames.

Sharmila said that when we reached the spot, a girl was lying there, who was not alive. Probably the girl fell from the helicopter and hit a big stone on the ground, due to which she died. The accident was so horrific that nothing could be heard amidst the flames.

A helicopter returning from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashes, and 7 people die.

A helicopter of Aryan Heli Aviation Company returning from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed after hitting a tree in Gauri Mai Khark due to poor visibility due to bad weather. Seven people including the pilot died in this accident. A 23-month-old innocent from Maharashtra is also among the dead. Her parents also died in the accident.

After the accident, DGCA immediately suspended the operation of Aryan Aviation for Chardham Yatra. A case has been registered against two managers of the company. On the other hand, two helicopters of M/s Trans Bharat Aviation were found flying in equally bad weather conditions. The license of both the pilots flying these helicopters has also been suspended for six months.

On Sunday at 5.21 am, Aryan Heli Company's helicopter took off from Kedarnath helipad for Guptkashi with six passengers. At around 5.25 minutes, this helicopter reached the forest area five km above Gaurikund, but here due to poor visibility due to fog in Gauri Mai Khark, it collided with a tree and crashed.

District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said that in this accident, all the passengers including pilot Lieutenant Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan (Retd.) died on the spot. On receiving the information, NDRF, SDRF, DDRF, Police, and Yatra Management Force personnel reached the spot and recovered all the bodies. The bodies were taken to Gaurikund and from there they were sent to District Hospital Rudraprayag.

After the accident, the debris of the helicopter also burned. At the same time, Rahul Chaubey, Nodal Officer of Kedarnath Yatra Helicopter Service, said that due to zero visibility, the helicopter suddenly collided with a tree, which caused this accident. DGCA has banned helicopter service to Kedarnath for two days.

People informed when they saw smoke rising.

District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said that the helicopter was seen at Valley Point at 5:24 am. Visibility was zero due to heavy fog. At 6:13 am, other helicopter companies informed us that the helicopter of the Aryan Company had not reached Guptkashi. During this time, on contacting, a person of Nepali origin and other women accompanying him informed him that smoke was rising in the upper area. On receiving the information, the rescue team was immediately sent. He said that the helicopter had crashed in Gauri Mai Khark in the forest area five km above Gaurikund. This entire area is very inaccessible. The rescue team had to struggle a lot to reach here.