Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: 7 Dead Including Toddler as Chopper Crashes in Uttarakhand – Fifth Incident in 6 Weeks

In a tragic repeat of aviation mishaps in Uttarakhand's pilgrimage circuit, an Aryan Aviation helicopter crashed near Kedarnath on June 15, 2025, killing all seven people on board - including a 23-month-old girl and her parents. This marks the fifth helicopter accident in the region since the Char Dham yatra began six weeks ago, raising urgent questions about aviation safety during peak pilgrimage season.

Sequence of the Tragedy

The ill-fated Bell 407 helicopter (registration VT-RPN) had taken off from Kedarnath at 5:15 AM for the 10-minute flight to Guptkashi when it encountered sudden bad weather. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft spinning uncontrollably before crashing into a densely forested slope near Gaurikund.

Heartbreaking Casualties

Among the victims were:

1. Pilot Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39), a decorated former Army Aviation Corps officer
2. The Jaiswal family from Maharashtra (parents and their toddler daughter)
3. Two women pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh
4. A local temple committee employee

Rescuers faced gruesome scenes at the crash site, with the helicopter's fuel tank having exploded on impact. DNA testing is being conducted as traditional identification proved impossible.

Systemic Safety Failures Exposed

Aviation experts highlight alarming patterns:

1. Weather Gambles: Despite known morning fog risks, flights continue operating in marginal conditions
2. Maintenance Concerns: The crashed helicopter had reportedly undergone engine maintenance just 48 hours prior
3. Pilot Pressure: Sources reveal commercial pilots face coercion to complete flights despite safety concerns

Government in Damage Control

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced:

1. Immediate grounding of all non-emergency helicopter operations
2. Formation of a high-powered committee to audit all aviation operators
3. Installation of advanced terrain warning systems in all pilgrimage route aircraft

The DGCA has revoked Aryan Aviation's night flying permissions and launched a special audit of all Uttarakhand-based operators.

Families Left Devastated

In Yavatmal, Maharashtra, the Jaiswal family is in shock - their 4-year-old son survived only because he stayed back with grandparents. "They video-called just before boarding...we never imagined..." the grandfather told reporters.

As Uttarakhand prepares for the peak pilgrimage season, this tragedy serves as a grim reminder that the rush to accommodate religious tourism cannot come at the cost of human lives. With 13 dead in six weeks, the state's aviation sector faces its biggest credibility crisis since the 2013 Kedarnath floods.

(Sources: DGCA preliminary report, eyewitness accounts, family statements, and aviation safety experts)