Key Points
- Crystal Aviation helicopter makes emergency landing on highway near Fata Badasu, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
- Incident occurred during Kedarnath Yatra; five passengers, pilot, and co-pilot were on board.
- Co-pilot sustained minor injuries; no loss of life or major property damage.
- Local administration and police quickly responded, ensuring passenger safety.
- Recent spate of helicopter incidents in Uttarakhand raises safety concerns for pilgrimage season.
Rydrapryag: In a dramatic incident on Saturday, a helicopter belonging to Crystal Aviation was forced to make an emergency landing on the highway near Fata Badasu, along the busy Kedarnath Yatra route in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred shortly after the helicopter took off from the Badasu helipad, carrying five passengers, a pilot, and a co-pilot.
What Happened?
According to officials, the helicopter was en route to Kedarnath when it experienced technical difficulties, prompting the pilot to execute a precautionary landing on the road adjacent to the helipad. During the landing, a vehicle parked on the highway sustained some damage, but, fortunately, no major loss of property or life was reported. The co-pilot suffered minor injuries, while the rest of the passengers and crew were unharmed.
Swift Response by Authorities
Local administration and police teams rushed to the site immediately after the incident, evacuating passengers to safety and securing the area. CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), Sonika, confirmed that the helicopter from Crystal Aviation Private Limited made a safe precautionary landing, and all necessary protocols were followed.
Recent Helicopter Incidents Raise Safety Concerns
This is not the first aviation-related scare in the region this season. Just last month, a helicopter ambulance from Rishikesh AIIMS crashed while attempting to land at Kedarnath Dham. On May 8, another tragic incident occurred when a helicopter heading to Gangotri Dham crashed near Ganganai, resulting in the deaths of six people, including five women.
These incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of helicopter operations during the Char Dham Yatra, as thousands of pilgrims rely on air services to access remote shrines in the Himalayas.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the emergency landing and to assess whether additional safety measures are needed for helicopter services in the region. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to review the incident and recommend further action if required.
A Crystal Aviation helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on a highway in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, after takeoff from Badasu helipad. Thanks to the quick actions of the crew and authorities, all passengers are safe, with only minor injuries reported. The incident adds to growing concerns over helicopter safety during the busy pilgrimage season in the Himalayan region.
