Seven Die as Helicopter Crashes Near Kedarnath, India

A private Bell 407 helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, plunged into a densely forested area near Gaurikund early Sunday, killing all seven occupants, including a 23-month-old child, five pilgrims, and pilot Lt Col (Retd) Rajveer Singh Chauhan, amid thick fog and low visibility on the Kedarnath-to-Guptkashi route.

The aircraft departed Kedarnath around 5:19 a.m. local time and crashed about ten minutes later, igniting a fire that burned victims beyond recognition, according to rescue teams . NDRF, SDRF and local police were dispatched immediately to recover the bodies and secure the scene .

Chouhan, a 37-year-old former Army aviator with more than 2,000 hours of flight experience, left military service in October 2024 to join Aryan Aviation. His wife, also an Army Lt Col, had recently given birth to twins; colleagues remember his calm courage and dedication . The passengers included a temple committee member from Uttarakhand, a couple from Maharashtra with their toddler, and two pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh. All perished in the aftermath.

Sunday’s tragedy marks the fifth helicopter-related accident on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit since late April, two crashes and three emergency landings, highlighting the dangers of Himalayan air routes. Officials trace the latest crash to a “controlled flight into terrain” scenario, where the helicopter likely struck ground terrain amid clouds and zero visibility .

In response, Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, suspended all helicopter services to Kedarnath for the next two days and ordered that only pilots with significant high-altitude experience be cleared for future flights .

India’s Civil Aviation Ministry, through the DGCA, has halted Aryan Aviation’s Char Dham services and revoked the licences of two other pilots for six months over flights in unsuitable weather. A formal case has been filed against key managers at Aryan Aviation, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the inquiry. Authorities are also reviewing Standard Operating Procedures, enhancing weather-monitoring systems, and imposing stricter surveillance on all helicopter flights in the Himalayan region .

The AAIB’s investigation will assess pilot protocols, aircraft maintenance, visibility checks, and decision-making processes. Dhami’s directive to limit flights to only the most seasoned pilots may herald a broader overhaul of helicopter travel regulations on pilgrimage routes.