Helicopter To Kedarnath Makes Emergency Landing On Uttarakhand Highway

A helicopter enroute to the pilgrimage site of Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing on a highway in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Saturday afternoon after developing a technical snag shortly after takeoff. All five passengers onboard the aircraft escaped unharmed, while the pilot sustained minor injuries.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:52 PM when the AW119 helicopter (registration VT-RNK), operated by Kestrel Aviation Private Limited, took off from the Badasu (Sersi) helipad. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot, Captain RPS Sodhi, detected a suspected malfunction in the collective control - a key component that regulates the helicopter's lift and maneuvering. This fault compromised the chopper's ability to climb safely.

In a prompt and controlled response, Captain Sodhi executed an emergency landing on the main road adjacent to the helipad in Guptkashi. During the maneuver, the helicopter's tail rotor struck a parked, unoccupied vehicle, causing minor damage. All five passengers were safely evacuated. The pilot complained of back pain and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

The emergency landing did not disrupt the ongoing Kedarnath helicopter shuttle services, officials confirmed. "The rest of the operations are continuing as usual," said a spokesperson from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed and is sending a team from its Northern Region office for an onsite investigation. Efforts are currently underway to remove the helicopter and clear the road for vehicular traffic.

This incident adds to a series of helicopter-related emergencies reported along the Char Dham Yatra route in recent weeks. On May 8, a helicopter flying from Dehradun to the Harsil helipad crashed near Uttarkashi, killing all six onboard. The victims included the pilot and five female pilgrims: Kala Soni (61), Vijaya Reddy (57), Ruchi Aggarwal (56), Radha Aggarwal (79), and Vedavati Kumari (48).

In another recent episode, a medical chopper operated by AIIMS Rishikesh was forced to make an emergency landing in Kedarnath while rescuing a pilgrim suffering from respiratory distress. That helicopter also suffered a tail rotor malfunction, though all occupants - including two doctors and the pilot - were reported safe.

With rising air traffic on the Char Dham Yatra route during the peak pilgrimage season, aviation authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety and maintenance of helicopter services. The DGCA has pledged a thorough investigation into Saturday's emergency landing, as concerns grow over the frequency of such incidents.