5 Crashes in 40 Days Raise Big Questions on Char Dham Flight Safety
In a devastating incident that has reignited debate over air safety in Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage zones, a helicopter carrying seven people crashed near Kedarnath on the morning of June 15, 2025. The aircraft, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was en route from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi when it crashed near Gaurikund in the Kedarghati region around 5:20 AM IST.
Uttarakhand | A helicopter crash took place on the Kedarnath route, in the Gaurikund area under Rudraprayag district. According to preliminary information, bad weather is being considered as the possible cause of this accident. A total of 07 people were on board the helicopter.… pic.twitter.com/LetPONJwKy
— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025
All seven individuals on board—including six passengers and the pilot—lost their lives in the crash. Initial reports suggested five fatalities, but updated information from agencies and social media confirmed there were no survivors.
The crash is being blamed on poor visibility due to dense fog, but a full investigation is underway. This marks the fifth helicopter incident on the Char Dham route in just 40 days, prompting calls for stronger aviation regulations and urgent reviews of flight operations in high-altitude areas.
Poor Visibility, No Survivors: What Went Wrong Near Gaurikund?
According to officials, the chopper lost contact mid-air between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund before crashing into a forested slope above Gaurikund. The wreckage, which caught fire upon impact, was later located by SDRF and NDRF teams dispatched for rescue operations.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand helicopter crash: Sonika, CEO Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), says "At around 5:30 AM, we got the information that a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, could not be located. After some time, it was… pic.twitter.com/XlsLrQpBpU
— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025
#WATCH | Uttarakhand helicopter crash: Sonika, CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), says, "Since the rescue operation is underway and seeing the weather conditions in the valley, our shuttle services have been closed. Almost all the helicopters are… pic.twitter.com/Z8INyyb3mk
— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025
The passengers hailed from multiple states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Images from the crash site showed charred debris and heavy smoke, reflecting the severity of the collision and fire.
Authorities believe bad weather and low visibility played a key role in the crash. The region is known for its unpredictable weather, and flying conditions in the early hours can be extremely volatile, especially near mountain ridges and forest zones.
Rescue teams were quick to respond, but all lives were lost before medical aid could arrive, confirming the high-risk nature of helicopter travel in Himalayan terrain.
Char Dham Route Under Fire as Helicopter Accidents Mount
This crash is not an isolated event. In just over a month, the Char Dham pilgrimage route has seen five aviation-related incidents, including:
- May 8: Crash near Gangotri; 6 dead
- May 12: Near-miss at Badrinath
- May 17: Emergency crash-landing at Kedarnath (no casualties)
- June 7: Helicopter crash-landed near Kedarnath; tail broke off, but all survived
These frequent incidents have exposed serious concerns about over-traffic, weather preparedness, maintenance standards, and air safety enforcement. With over 10,000 helicopter sorties during peak seasons, there is now increased pressure on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and state authorities to regulate and reform air operations in these sensitive zones.
In fact, following the June 7 crash, the DGCA had capped helicopter operations to just nine flights per hour, down from over 300 daily trips—a much-needed but overdue safety step.
CM Dhami Orders Probe, DGCA Launches Safety Review Amid Outrage
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced a comprehensive review of helicopter safety protocols on the Char Dham route. The CM also emphasized the need for better weather monitoring, technical inspections, and pilot training for high-altitude flying.
The DGCA, in parallel, has initiated a detailed investigation and is likely to introduce stricter guidelines for pilgrimage-related flights, particularly in regions like Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
On social media, users expressed both sorrow and frustration. While many offered prayers, others questioned why basic safety audits and weather restrictions are not consistently enforced. The recurring crashes have sparked hashtags demanding aviation accountability and better regulation for helicopter tourism in Uttarakhand.
With the pilgrimage season still ongoing, the state must act swiftly to prevent further tragedies in India’s holiest yet most dangerous skies.
