Following the deadly helicopter crash in Uttarakhand that claimed seven lives early Sunday, All Char Dham Yatra operations of the ill-fated chopper’s operator Aryan Aviation have been suspended with immediate effect, as preliminary indications suggest that the helicopter was airborne in poor visibility conditions, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said in a release. Additionally, all charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region have been suspended for Sunday and Monday “as a safety precaution”.
These were among the decisions that were taken at a high-level meeting convened by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Government of Uttarakhand, and top officials from MoCA and India’s aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and other associated teams.
Other decisions include suspension of two helicopter pilots flying for other operators, directions to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to conduct a detailed review before resumption of helicopter services in the region, and establishment of a dedicated command-and-control room to monitor real-time operations and ensure immediate escalation of any risk indicators.
“DGCA, has been directed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, to immediately post officers from Airworthiness, Safety, and Operations (sections) to actively oversee all helicopter activity in the Kedarnath valley and rigorously review the functioning of the UCADA Command-and-Control Room,” the MoCA release said.
Even before Sunday’s tragic crash, there were multiple incidents involving helicopters in Char Dham Yatra over the past couple of months. As a precautionary measure, the DGCA had already reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to Char Dham and was carrying out the enhanced surveillance and reviewing operations for further action. Earlier this week, the DGCA had suspended the operations of an operator—Kestrel Aviation—in Uttarakhand. Another helicopter operator’s operations were suspended last month.
Aryan Aviation’s Bell 407 helicopter—bearing registration VT-BKA—operating the sector Shri Kedarnath Ji–Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi was involved in a tragic accident early Sunday. There were five passengers, one infant, and one crew member on board, all of whom died in the crash. The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 am. It departed again at 05:19 Hrs for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30–05:45 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),” MoCA said.
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Apart from suspension of operations of Aryan Aviation for the Char Dham Yatra with immediate effect, two pilots operating for TransBharat Aviation were suspended for six months as their helicopters were found to be airborne under “similar unsuitable weather conditions”.
“All charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region have been suspended on 15th and 16th June 2025 as a safety precaution. UCADA has been directed to hold a comprehensive review with all operators and pilots before any resumption of services, to ensure full alignment with safety protocols,” MoCA said.
According to the release, MoCA reiterated that aviation safety “is non-negotiable and that no operator should undertake flights in violation of weather-related and other protocols”. The ministry has issued strict instructions to DGCA to enforce all safety provisions with full authority and ensure that discipline in flying operations is maintained “at all costs, given the sanctity of human life”.
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