Helicopter En Route to Kedarnath Makes Emergency Landing on Highway in Rudraprayag, All Passengers Safe
Rudraprayag, June 7 – A helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing on a highway in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on Saturday after experiencing a technical fault mid-air. As per agency report, the aircraft, operated by Kestrel Aviation, had five passengers and a pilot onboard, all of whom escaped the incident unharmed. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Footage circulating on social media shows the helicopter parked in the middle of a highway, dangerously close to residential buildings. The aircraft’s tail rotor reportedly struck a car during the landing, causing damage. Officials stated that the helicopter had departed from Barasu helipad for Kedarnath, but soon encountered a technical issue, prompting the pilot to make a controlled emergency landing near Sirsi.
Eyewitnesses described the moment as alarming, as the helicopter appeared unstable in the air before descending abruptly onto the road. Local authorities confirmed that all six occupants escaped injury, with the pilot being the only one requiring medical attention due to back pain.
Rahul Chaubey, the nodal officer for Kedarnath helicopter services, clarified that the emergency incident has not disrupted the ongoing Kedarnath temple shuttle services. Efforts to remove the helicopter from the highway are currently underway.
The police have urged pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath via road to remain at their current locations, as the process of clearing the aircraft may take some time. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the helicopter involved was an AW119 registered as VT-RNK, piloted by Captain R.P.S. Sodhi. Preliminary information suggests that the issue was detected shortly after takeoff, and the pilot promptly diverted for a highway landing near the helipad.
DGCA has deployed a team to the site to conduct a detailed investigation. The helicopter had taken off from Barasu (Sirsi) helipad at 12:52 PM.
This marks the fourth such helicopter-related incident along the Char Dham pilgrimage route within a month. On May 8, a tragic crash near Gangnani in Uttarkashi claimed six lives, including five women pilgrims and the pilot, when a helicopter headed to Gangotri temple went down. On May 12, another helicopter returning from Badrinath had to land in a school field in Ukhimath due to poor visibility, though no one was harmed. Similarly, on May 17, a helicopter ambulance from AIIMS Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad, but all three on board survived without injuries.
The recurrence of such incidents has raised questions about safety measures in place for aerial services during the Char Dham Yatra, prompting aviation authorities to enhance scrutiny and review protocols for flights in the high-altitude terrain of Uttarakhand.
