Latest news with #KestrelAviation
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
HC takes note of Kedar crash, seeks state response
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand high court (HC) on Monday took suo motu cognisance of media reports on the recent helicopter crash near Gaurikund on the Kedarnath route, which claimed the lives of seven people, including a toddler, five pilgrims and the pilot. A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Kumar Verma sought an explanation from the state administration regarding the recurring helicopter accidents and prevailing safety lapses in the Char Dham region. Chief Standing Counsel Chandrashekhar Rawat informed the court that the state govt had suspended all helicopter services related to the Char Dham Yatra following the latest crash as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims. During the proceedings, the court observed that at least one helicopter crash occurs annually during the Char Dham Yatra and expressed concern over the persistent safety risks associated with aviation operations in the region. Stressing the need for a comprehensive policy on helicopter operations, the court noted that the high-altitude Himalayan terrain is subject to rapidly changing weather conditions and that the post-monsoon dryness typical of the region may pose additional operational challenges. It emphasised that helicopter operators must be thoroughly familiar with both mountainous and lowland weather and visibility patterns. The June 15 crash marks the fifth such incident involving helicopters on the Char Dham route in the past 39 days. On June 7, a Kestrel Aviation helicopter carrying six pilgrims crash-landed on the Guptkashi-Gaurikund highway near Barasu. The pilot sustained injuries, but all passengers were unharmed. Authorities suspect a technical snag led to the emergency landing. Earlier, on May 17, a Sanjeevani air ambulance operated by AIIMS-Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad after its tail struck the ground during landing. The pilot, a doctor, and a nurse onboard escaped unhurt. Officials said the helicopter attempted to land on an adjacent ground due to a technical issue. On May 12, a helicopter returning from Badrinath to Sersi made an emergency landing on the grounds of a school in Ukhimath due to poor visibility. No casualties were reported. On May 8, when a chopper operated by Aero Trans Service Pvt Ltd crashed near Gangnani in Uttarkashi district, killing six people, including five pilgrims and the pilot, and injuring one passenger.
Economic Times
16-06-2025
- Economic Times
Kedarnath helicopter crash: Why are so many helicopter accidents happening on the Kedarnath route?
Recent helicopter accidents on the Gaurikund-to-Kedarnath route have prompted a safety review. Five incidents occurred in six weeks, including two fatal crashes. The challenging flying conditions lack air traffic control and weather stations. Operators are accused of cutting corners, and pilots demand better oversight. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads kedarnath helicopter crash surge within weeks Pilots fly 'by sight, by wind, by instinct' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Operators demand tougher oversight Regulators move, but critics say it is not enough A series of five helicopter accidents in just six weeks on the Gaurikund‑to‑Kedarnath pilgrimage route has triggered an urgent safety review by regulators and operators, after two crashes proved fatal and three others caused emergency landings and major rotor Kedarnath sector sees some of India's most challenging commercial flying. Pilots rely almost completely on visual cues because the valley lacks air‑traffic control, weather stations and safe diversion sites. Industry voices now question whether Char Dham flights should continue until basic safety infrastructure is in latest run of mishaps began with the crash‑landing of a Kestrel Aviation helicopter near a road, injuring the pilot. Two other aircraft suffered rotor strikes, and another required an emergency landing. These come on top of past tragedies: seven deaths in a 2022 crash, the 2023 tail‑rotor incident that killed Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) finance controller Amit Saini, and the 2013 military rescue crash that claimed 20 Sharma, who regularly flies the Kedarnath route, told TOI, 'We are flying in one of the world's most unforgiving regions with very little real‑time weather support. Operations are being conducted on pilot observation and visual reference. The weather is unpredictable and changes rapidly.'A veteran colleague added, 'There is no ATC or weather station. Flying in the narrow valley from Gaurikund to Kedarnath needs experience and safety awareness, as there are no emergency landing sites.'Some operators accuse peers of cutting corners. 'There are no checks. Faulty parts are being swapped with others to show repairs. Conscientious operators and passengers suffer,' one operator said. A senior pilot called the recent rate of five crashes in 1.5 months 'the worst we've seen' and urged suspension of services this yatra season, claiming 'greed is driving it, not safety.'The civil aviation ministry has suspended Aryan Aviation, grounded two TransBharat pilots for flying in bad weather, and directed UCADA to set up a command‑and‑control room to coordinate flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has posted officers for on‑site oversight. Yet pilots insist that without real‑time weather data, route information and a formal air‑traffic system, risks will persist. 'No route info is provided. Until these issues are fixed, operations should be stopped,' one pilot is reviewing operating procedures and exploring a dedicated Kedarnath flight management centre. In the meantime, pressure mounts for a temporary halt to commercial sorties. As one pilot summed up: 'Char Dham ops are among the toughest, but we fly like nothing's wrong.'(Inputs from TOI)
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Time of India
Kedarnath helicopter crash: Why are so many helicopter accidents happening on the Kedarnath route?
Recent helicopter accidents on the Gaurikund-to-Kedarnath route have prompted a safety review. Five incidents occurred in six weeks, including two fatal crashes. The challenging flying conditions lack air traffic control and weather stations. Operators are accused of cutting corners, and pilots demand better oversight. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads kedarnath helicopter crash surge within weeks Pilots fly 'by sight, by wind, by instinct' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Operators demand tougher oversight Regulators move, but critics say it is not enough A series of five helicopter accidents in just six weeks on the Gaurikund‑to‑Kedarnath pilgrimage route has triggered an urgent safety review by regulators and operators, after two crashes proved fatal and three others caused emergency landings and major rotor Kedarnath sector sees some of India's most challenging commercial flying. Pilots rely almost completely on visual cues because the valley lacks air‑traffic control, weather stations and safe diversion sites. Industry voices now question whether Char Dham flights should continue until basic safety infrastructure is in latest run of mishaps began with the crash‑landing of a Kestrel Aviation helicopter near a road, injuring the pilot. Two other aircraft suffered rotor strikes, and another required an emergency landing. These come on top of past tragedies: seven deaths in a 2022 crash, the 2023 tail‑rotor incident that killed Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) finance controller Amit Saini, and the 2013 military rescue crash that claimed 20 Sharma, who regularly flies the Kedarnath route, told TOI, 'We are flying in one of the world's most unforgiving regions with very little real‑time weather support. Operations are being conducted on pilot observation and visual reference. The weather is unpredictable and changes rapidly.'A veteran colleague added, 'There is no ATC or weather station. Flying in the narrow valley from Gaurikund to Kedarnath needs experience and safety awareness, as there are no emergency landing sites.'Some operators accuse peers of cutting corners. 'There are no checks. Faulty parts are being swapped with others to show repairs. Conscientious operators and passengers suffer,' one operator said. A senior pilot called the recent rate of five crashes in 1.5 months 'the worst we've seen' and urged suspension of services this yatra season, claiming 'greed is driving it, not safety.'The civil aviation ministry has suspended Aryan Aviation, grounded two TransBharat pilots for flying in bad weather, and directed UCADA to set up a command‑and‑control room to coordinate flights. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has posted officers for on‑site oversight. Yet pilots insist that without real‑time weather data, route information and a formal air‑traffic system, risks will persist. 'No route info is provided. Until these issues are fixed, operations should be stopped,' one pilot is reviewing operating procedures and exploring a dedicated Kedarnath flight management centre. In the meantime, pressure mounts for a temporary halt to commercial sorties. As one pilot summed up: 'Char Dham ops are among the toughest, but we fly like nothing's wrong.'(Inputs from TOI)
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
5 crashes in 6 weeks expose gaps in Uttarakhand's chopper safety
1 2 Dehradun/New Delhi: Manoj Sharma doesn't fly by the book in the Kedarnath sector — he flies by sight, by wind, by instinct. "We are flying in one of the world's most unforgiving regions with very little real-time weather support," he said. "Operations in such large numbers are being conducted on pilot observation and visual reference. The weather is very unpredictable and changes very rapidly." That reality, long known to those in the cockpit, now has the country's attention. In just six weeks, Uttarakhand has recorded five helicopter accidents — two of them fatal, others involving emergency landings and rotor damage — all on the Kedar route. In one case, a Kestrel Aviation helicopter crash-landed near a road after a mechanical failure, injuring the pilot and damaging a vehicle. This is not an outlier year. In 2022, an Aryan Aviation chopper crashed near Kedarnath, killing seven. In 2023, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) finance controller Amit Saini died after being struck by a tail rotor. And in 2013, a military rescue helicopter went down during flood relief, killing 20. The terrain is tough — but it is not the only challenge. The system built to manage it is, in many ways, still catching up to the traffic it supports. Pilgrimage flights have surged over the past decade, but the region lacks a dedicated air traffic control network. "There is no ATC control nor any weather station in these areas," said a veteran pilot. "Flying in the narrow valley from Gaurikund to Kedarnath needs a lot of experience and safety awareness, as there are no landing sites on this stretch that can be used in an emergency or bad weather." Another pilot added, "There is no information provided on routes where major helicopter operations take place. Till such time these issues can't be addressed, these operations should immediately be stopped. " This month, the civil aviation ministry suspended Aryan Aviation from Char Dham operations and grounded two TransBharat pilots who flew in unsuitable weather, suspending their licences for six months. UCADA — established by the state in 2013 to oversee civil aviation development and safety, including helipad infrastructure and coordination with private operators — has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review with all operators and setting up a command-and-control room to monitor real-time risks. DGCA has deployed officers to oversee safety, airworthiness and the functioning of the control centre. But many in the sector say these moves fall short. "It seems there are no checks and balances in place," said one chopper operator. "There is someone who replaced one inoperative part on a chopper with another inoperative part from another chopper to show that the part has been changed. Because of unscrupulous operators, conscientious operators and passengers are suffering." Others point to a deeper culture of pressure and compromise. "There have been five chopper crashes in the country within the last 1.5 months, which is the worst we have ever seen in helicopter operations in our country," said a senior pilot. "Char Dham operations are one of the toughest... yet we still fly as if nothing needs fixing." Another pilot was more direct: "We need a complete stop on chopper operations for this yatra season. All stakeholders — owners, pilots, commercial, engineers, DGCA and UCADA — need to look within and change." One added, simply, "It's greed. That's what's driving this. Not safety."
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Helicopter crashes on Char Dham Yatra route occurring at alarming frequency
Helicopter crashes or emergency landings are occurring at an alarming frequency on the Char Dham Yatra route in Uttarakhand, causing concern among people and the administration. The latest crash of an Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd chopper returning from Kedarnath near Guptkashi on Sunday morning, which killed all seven people on board, is the fifth mishap involving a helicopter on the pilgrimage route this year. A Kestrel Aviation helicopter en route Kedarnath made an emergency landing on the highway in Rudraprayag district on June 7 after developing a technical snag shortly after take-off. It made a hard landing on the road close to populated buildings, with its tail rotor hitting a parked car. All pilgrims on board, as well as the pilot, escaped narrowly. The hard landing of the helicopter came about a month after another private chopper on its way to Gangotri temple crashed near Gangnani in Uttarkashi district on May 8, killing six people, including five women and the pilot, and leaving one male passenger seriously injured. On May 12, a helicopter returning from Badrinath to Sersi with pilgrims on board had to make an emergency landing in a school playground in Ukhimath due to poor visibility. All pilgrims were safe. The helicopter took off again after about an hour when the weather improved. On May 17, a heli ambulance from AIIMS Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad in Uttarakhand due to damage to its rear part. Fortunately, all three occupants on board a doctor, a pilot, and a medical staff member escaped unharmed. "This was the fifth mishap involving a chopper on the Char Dham Yatra route within less than one-and-a-half months of the commencement of the pilgrimage this year," state Congress vice-president Suryakant Dhasmana said. "It shows that the state government has no control over the aviation firms operating on the route. There is no SOP for chopper operations. In the mad rush for making money, the heli companies have thrown all caution to the wind. There is no cap on the number of sorties being undertaken by them in a day," Dhasmana said. Social activist Anoop Nautiyal said it appears that the state government is not learning lessons from the recent mishaps involving choppers on the Yatra route. "Four days ago, news came that there will be strict norms guiding heli operations now only 3- 4 passengers will be allowed to board a chopper, not 5- 6. However, four days later, seven people, including the pilot, died in yet another helicopter accident," Nautiyal said. If you don't want to change the system, why do you tell lies to the people? Will anyone who played with people's lives be suspended? Will anyone take responsibility? Will these helicopters be reined in after five accidents in little over a month, or will they keep crashing like this," he asked. Soon after the crash on Sunday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting and asked senior officials to prepare a strict SOP (standard operating procedure) for heli services in the state, making a thorough check of the technical condition of the choppers mandatory. The Uttarakhand chief secretary has been directed to constitute a committee of technical experts, which will prepare the SOP after thoroughly reviewing all technical and safety aspects of heli operations. The committee will ensure that the operation of heli services is completely safe, transparent, and as per the prescribed standards, an official statement said. Heli operations on the Yatra route have been suspended for two days, Dhami said. Operations will resume only after the safety of all passengers is ensured. The safety of the Yatris cannot be compromised, he said. Dhami also said that weather status should be checked before heli operations. The chief minister has directed a committee constituted to investigate helicopter accidents to thoroughly probe every aspect of Sunday's crash and earlier accidents and submit a report. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
