By Takudziridzwa Nyama
India-Seven people aboard a helicopter were killed early on Sunday when it crashed while ferrying them to a popular Hindu pilgrimage route in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.
There were seven people on board including an infant and a crew member.
According to the reports the helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 5:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 5:18 am. It departed again at 5:19 am but crashed between 5:30-5:45 am.
Preliminary indications suggest that the probable cause may be Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), with the helicopter reportedly airborne despite poor visibility and extensive clouding at the valley entry area. The exact cause will be determined through a detailed investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Following the helicopter incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level emergency meeting at 11:00 AM, involving senior government officials, the Secretary of Civil Aviation, DGCA representatives and other agencies.
As a precautionary and corrective measure, the Uttarakhand government has suspended all operations of Aryan Aviation with immediate effect.
Additionally, two helicopters operated by Ms TransBharat Aviation—VT-TBC, piloted by Captain Yogesh Grewal, and VT-TBF, piloted by Captain Jitender Harjai—were found to have taken off under unfavorable weather conditions. Both pilots’ licenses have subsequently been suspended for six months.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized that aviation safety remains a top priority.reiterating that no operator should undertake flights in violation of weather-related and other protocols.”