June 17, 2025 — A helicopter crash near Gaurikund on Sunday, claiming seven lives, has reignited concerns over safety protocols in Uttarakhand’s aviation sector. The accident bore a striking resemblance to a previous tragedy on October 18, 2022, when an Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter (VT-BKA) crashed after taking off from Kedarnath, killing all six passengers and the pilot.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which investigated the 2022 crash, found no major mechanical issues in components like the rotor blades, flight controls, or fuel system. However, their report in November 2023 included key safety recommendations for both the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and DGCA, which now appear to have gone unheeded.
In the 2022 incident, radio silence from the doomed chopper was noted by a fellow pilot. Now, the recurrence of such a similar crash raises questions about the implementation of safety guidelines and operational communication in high-risk mountainous zones.
