Dehradun, October 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand on Friday, which claimed the lives of all six people on board, has renewed concerns over the state’s aviation safety record. Citing a series of helicopter-related accidents in recent years, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat called for an inquiry into the incidents and improvements in safety measures.
The bodies of all six victims, including the pilot, were recovered from the crash site by joint teams of the Uttarakhand Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Army. The teams launched rescue and recovery operations after receiving information about the accident.
Reacting to Friday’s crash, Rawat said, “Along with making our helicopter services competitive, we also need to make them safe and secure. An enquiry should be conducted and improvements should be made, based on the probe. This is extremely necessary because one after another, such incidents are taking place, which is alarming.”
Uttarakhand witnessed a similar tragedy in 2022, when seven people, including the pilot, were killed after a private helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed on a hillside in Rudraprayag district on October 18.
Several helicopter-related incidents were also reported across the state in May 2025.
On May 8, a helicopter operated by a private company crashed in Uttarkashi district while travelling from Kharsali near Yamunotri to Jhala near Gangotri. The aircraft reportedly collided with a hillside amid adverse weather conditions, killing six people.
Another potential disaster was averted later that month at the Badrinath helipad when a helicopter’s blades struck a parked vehicle after the pilot lost control shortly after takeoff. No injuries were reported.
On May 17, a ‘Sanjeevani’ heli ambulance operated by AIIMS Rishikesh made an emergency landing at Kedarnath after developing a technical snag. Officials said the two doctors and the pilot on board were safe.
Another helicopter heading to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on a highway in Rudraprayag district on June 7, 2025, after developing a technical problem during takeoff from the Sirsi helipad.
Officials said part of the aircraft struck an empty, stationary car below. All six people on board the privately operated helicopter, including the pilot, were reported safe.
In another fatal incident in June 2025, seven people aboard a privately operated helicopter were killed when the aircraft crashed near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district. The victims included a 23-month-old infant.
According to officials, the helicopter went down at around 5.30 a.m. on June 15, 2025, while carrying pilgrims from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi. Adverse weather conditions were cited as a possible cause.
The latest accident occurred on October 30, 2026, when a helicopter operated by a private aviation company crashed near Chai village, close to Joshimath, killing all six people on board, including the pilot.
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