This is the second helicopter crash of Aryan Heli Aviation in the last three years during the Kedarnath Yatra. At the time of the accident, there was fog all around, but this fog also lasted only for a few minutes, by the time the fog cleared, the helicopter had crashed. Earlier, a helicopter of Aryan Heli Aviation had taken off from Kedarnath to Guptkashi on 18 October 2022 and crashed near Garudchatti. In this accident also, seven people including the pilot died.
The passengers were returning to Guptkashi after visiting Kedarnath
Lieutenant Colonel 57-year-old Anil Singh, who retired from Army Aviation with Aryan Heli Aviation in the year 2018, was performing the responsibility of the pilot. This was his last flight and after that he had to return to his home. But he died a painful death due to the helicopter crash. Here, on Sunday too, as soon as Aryan Heli Aviation’s pilot retired Lieutenant Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan took off from Kedarnath for Guptkashi, the helicopter crashed after covering a short distance. It is unforeseen that the main reason for the crash of both the helicopters was the sudden dense fog. A helicopter of Aryan Company crashed on Sunday morning in Gaurikund area of Rudraprayag. All the passengers in the helicopter were returning to Guptkashi after visiting Kedarnath.
Helicopter service stopped till further orders
The accident happened around 5:30 in the morning. Helicopter nodal officer Rahul Chaubey said that visibility was zero due to heavy fog. In such a situation, the helicopter crashed after going a short distance and caught fire. A 23-month-old girl is also among the dead in the tragic accident. NDRF and SDRF teams have also reached. Helicopter service has been stopped till further orders. Taking the helicopter accidents seriously, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued strict instructions regarding helicopter operations. The Chief Minister said that a strict SOP should be prepared for the operation of heli services in the state, in which a complete check of the technical condition of the helicopter and taking accurate weather information before flying should be made mandatory.