Tragedy in the Skies: Second Helicopter Crash Near Kedarnath Kills Seven, Including Child

Gaurikund, Uttarakhand | June 15, 2025

Just days after the devastating Air India Flight AI171 crash, another tragedy has struck the aviation world — this time in the mountainous region of Uttarakhand. A helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Gaurikund forest, en route from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, killing all seven people on board.

Officials have confirmed that severe weather conditions caused the helicopter to veer off course early Sunday morning. Among the deceased are the pilot and a 10-year-old girl, highlighting the human toll of the fifth helicopter crash in Uttarakhand within the past six weeks.

This latest incident has prompted swift action from the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has ordered the formation of a technical safety review committee to urgently assess and update helicopter operating norms in the region.

The tragedy follows a catastrophic week in Indian aviation, coming shortly after the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 230 lives. These back-to-back aviation disasters have cast a shadow over the industry, raising urgent questions about weather-related risks, operator accountability, and regulatory oversight.

Background:

The ill-fated chopper was facilitating pilgrimage transport services, a common practice during the Char Dham Yatra season. The rugged terrain and unpredictable weather in the region have made aerial transport both essential and highly risky.

Aviation Safety in Focus:

• 5 helicopter crashes in Uttarakhand in 6 weeks
• Aryan Aviation under scrutiny for route risk management
• Calls for enhanced pilot training, weather surveillance, and emergency preparedness

As the nation mourns, the aviation community across India and globally reflects on what many are calling a dark period for flight safety.

aviationinnepal.com will continue to provide updates as the investigation unfolds.

Stay informed with us — your trusted source for South Asian aviation news