In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the nation grieving, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on June 15, 2025. The chopper was ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi and went down just minutes after takeoff—killing seven people on board, including a 2-year-old child.
Who Were the Victims?
The passengers included:
- A family from Yavatmal, Maharashtra—a husband, wife, and their toddler.
- Two solo pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
- A staff member of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee.
- The pilot, Rajveer Singh Chauhan, a decorated ex-army personnel with 15+ years of flying experience.
This marks Aryan Aviation’s second fatal crash in the region in three years.
What Caused the Crash?
Initial reports point to:
- Dense early-morning fog reducing visibility drastically.
- Unpredictable weather conditions over the narrow Kedarnath valley.
- Possible technical malfunction—pending investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud thud followed by a plume of smoke rising from a forested cliff near Trijuginarayan village.
#Watch | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand | A helicopter flying from Shri Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed today, claiming the lives of all 7 people onboard.
— DD News (@DDNewslive) June 15, 2025
Rescue teams led by SDRF Cmdr Arpan Yadav were swiftly deployed.
The crash site, in dense forest, saw a coordinated response by… pic.twitter.com/JNXpPCnuxe
Helicopter Services Suspended: CM Dhami Acts Swiftly
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami responded with urgency:
- All helicopter services to Kedarnath suspended for 48 hours.
- A technical expert committee set up to draft revised safety SOPs for high-altitude flights.
- Coordination with DGCA and AAIB for a thorough crash investigation.
“We are deeply pained. Every life matters. Pilgrims’ safety is our top priority,” — CM Dhami.
Safer Routes Advised for Pilgrims
Authorities are urging devotees to switch to trekking or road travel from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. With monsoon clouds rolling in and the Char Dham Yatra seeing record footfalls, air travel to the shrine remains under intense scrutiny.
Final Words: A Wake-Up Call from the Himalayas
The Kedarnath helicopter tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of aviation in extreme terrains. While helicopters offer convenience, safety infrastructure and protocols must evolve in tandem with pilgrim demand.
Let us honor the lives lost by demanding accountability, pushing for better safety norms, and keeping faith in responsible travel.
Have You Been to Kedarnath?
Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. Should helicopter travel be limited in Himalayan zones? Let your voice be heard