A tragic crash near Gaurikund has taken seven lives and sparked a criminal investigation, sending shockwaves through religious tourism and aviation regulation alike.
An FIR has been lodged against Aryan Aviation’s senior officials after one of its helicopters crashed on Sunday morning, killing all seven onboard. The accident occurred during a Char Dham Yatra flight near Kedarnath, a pilgrimage route that’s seen thousands this season. The immediate response was swift — suspension of services, grounding of flights, and now, the beginning of a legal battle for accountability.
What Went Wrong on That Sunday Morning?
At around 5:20 a.m., the Bell 407 chopper operated by Aryan Aviation departed from Kedarnath, en route to Guptkashi.
The flight didn’t make it far. It crashed just minutes later near Gaurikund, in a zone that’s no stranger to turbulent weather and narrow escape paths. All seven people onboard — including five passengers, a child, and the pilot — were killed. Locals were the first to alert authorities. Some rushed to the scene, but there was little they could do.
The cause? Still under investigation, though initial whispers point to visibility issues and potential weather-related complications.
FIR Targets Key Executives at Aryan Aviation
Now, things are turning legal — and fast.
Uttarakhand Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Aryan Aviation’s Accountable Manager Kaushik Pathak and Manager Vikas Tomar. The charges? Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 10 of the Aircraft Act.
The sections deal with endangerment of human life through negligence and violations tied to aircraft safety obligations. Police sources say they’re also consulting with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and aviation safety experts to back the case with technical evidence.
One officer involved in the case put it bluntly: “There has to be accountability. This wasn’t just a technical fault — it was preventable.”
Operations Suspended Amid Pilgrimage Season
Aryan Aviation, a charter operator with years of experience in hilly terrains, has been stripped of permissions for the Char Dham route — at least temporarily.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation moved quickly, grounding Aryan’s helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra. That’s not all. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that all charter and shuttle helicopter services in the Kedarnath region would be halted for June 15 and 16.
This has disrupted movement for thousands of pilgrims. Many were stranded, while others made alternative arrangements — a mix of ponies, palanquins, and treks. Weather in the region, as per officials, was marginal that morning. But pilots say that shouldn’t have been enough to ground experienced flyers.
Still, the aviation regulator wasn’t taking chances.
Key actions taken in response to the crash include:
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Suspension of Aryan Aviation’s Char Dham operations indefinitely
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State-wide pause on private helicopter shuttle services on June 15–16
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Launch of a formal probe by the DGCA, state aviation department, and SDRF
Past Incidents, Same Route — A Worrying Pattern?
Sunday’s crash isn’t the first to haunt this region.
The Kedarnath route, known for its altitude and unpredictable weather, has seen multiple helicopter incidents over the past decade. From forced landings to engine failures, every few years brings another scare.
A 2022 crash, too, claimed seven lives and drew flak over flight clearance procedures. Despite all that, pilgrim chopper demand has only increased.
Here’s a snapshot of chopper mishaps over the past 12 years in the Char Dham circuit:
| Year | Operator | Location | Fatalities | Cause Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aryan Aviation | Near Gaurikund | 7 | Suspected weather |
| 2022 | Aryan Aviation | Garudchatti | 7 | Visual disorientation |
| 2013 | Private Contractor | Rambara | 3 | Mechanical failure |
| 2011 | Pawan Hans | Kedarnath Base | 2 | Engine fire |
This isn’t just a pattern — it’s a crisis begging for systemic fixes.
Devotees Grieve, Families Want Accountability
The victims were a mix of families and elderly devotees, many on their first Char Dham pilgrimage.
One of the deceased, a 9-month-old infant, was flying with her grandparents from Gujarat. A couple from Maharashtra had booked this flight months in advance after hearing about shorter commute times via chopper.
Now, those families are left not just with grief, but questions. Why was the flight cleared amid low visibility? Was the aircraft maintained adequately? Who signed off on the go-ahead?
One relative, sobbing outside a hospital in Rudraprayag, said: “They just wanted to get darshan. Now they’re all gone. And no one warned us about how risky this was.”
Aviation Industry Under Spotlight Again
This crash is already rattling India’s helicopter industry, particularly high-altitude services.
The DGCA is reportedly planning a fresh set of guidelines for pilgrimage helicopter operations. Possible steps include:
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Mandatory real-time weather tracking
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Enhanced pilot training for mountain routes
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Ground clearance audits
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Shortened flight hours to avoid early morning fog
Aviation insiders say these steps are overdue. “We’re always one crash away from getting serious about safety,” said a senior pilot with over 15 years in Kedarnath routes. “But how many more before we stop normalizing it?”
