DEHRADUN: A helicopter operated by the Aryan Company crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district early Sunday killing all seven people on board, including a 23-month-old infant.
The chopper was ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi when it went down around 5:30 AM, reportedly due to adverse weather conditions.
The wreckage was located in a forested area above Gauri Mai Khark. Local women, who were cutting grass nearby, first reported the crash, prompting an immediate response from SDRF, police, and other rescue teams. All bodies were recovered from the charred remains of the aircraft.
The deceased have been identified as Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal, their 23-month-old daughter Kashi Jaiswal, Tushti Singh, Vinod Negi, Vikram Singh Rawat (a Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee staffer), and Captain Rajbeer Singh Chauhan.
The pilot of the chopper, Rajveer Singh Chauhan, had served in the Indian Army for over 15 years and had vast experience of flying missions over different terrains.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences via social media, stating, “Received the extremely tragic news of a helicopter crashing in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the well-being of all passengers.”
The incident comes days after an Air India flight to London crashed in Ahmedbad, killing 241 people on board and several others on the ground.
Helicopter services on the Kedarnath route have been suspended until further notice.
This incident adds to a troubling record of helicopter-related accidents in Uttarakhand, particularly on pilgrimage routes. Notably, this is the second such incident in recent weeks. On June 7, a helicopter operated by Kestrel Aviation developed a technical snag during take-off from the Badasu helipad, forcing an emergency landing on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund Highway. Though the passengers escaped unharmed, the pilot sustained back injuries.
When helicopters fail: A chronology of crashes and accidents
2010
June 12: Rotor blade accident involving Prabhatam Aviation kills one.
2013 (Disaster Year)
June: Relief helicopter crashes in Kedarnath, killing the pilot.
June 21: Private chopper crash near Garudchatti claims two lives.
June 25 : IAF MI-17 rescue helicopter crash kills 20 personnel.
July 24: Another Kedarnath crash kills pilot and engineer.
2016
Helicopter narrowly avoids crash as door opens mid-air during take-off.
2017
June 10 : Crash during take-off at Badrinath Dham kills chief engineer.
2018
April 3: Army chopper crashes into power lines; all survive.
2019
Multiple emergency landings due to technical issues.
August 21: Crash in Arakot kills three, including pilot.
August 23: Emergency landing in Arakot injures pilot.
September 23: Crash landing at Kedarnath injures seven.
2022
October 18: Kedarnath-bound helicopter crashes after Garudchatti, killing seven.
2023
April 23: UCAADA Finance GM Amit Saini fatally struck by tail rotor at Kedarnath.
October 2 : Emergency landing of helicopter with five pilgrims; no injuries.
2024
May 24: Helicopter from Sirsi to Kedarnath makes emergency landing; all safe.
2025
May 8: Chopper crashes near Gangnani en route to Gangotri; six dead, including pilot.
June 7: Technical snag forces emergency landing; five pilgrims safe, pilot injured.
