New Delhi, Nov 27: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its interim report on the Kedarnath helicopter crash, confirming that no abnormality was observed during take-off from the Kedarnath helipad. The report noted that poor visibility due to cloud cover in the valley exit was a critical factor in the accident.
The Bell 407 helicopter (VT-BKA), operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, took off at 5.35 am on June 15 for Guptkashi but crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand. The aircraft was destroyed in a fire, and all seven occupants — the pilot, five passengers, and an infant — lost their lives.
According to the AAIB, CCTV footage showed the valley exit point covered with clouds at the time of the accident. The pilot’s last radio communication was, “Cannot see anything, turning…,” after which no further call or distress signal was made. Two other helicopters flying behind VT-BKA exited the valley at a lower altitude, avoiding the cloud cover.
The report stated that the pilot was maintaining the prescribed altitude of 9,000 feet while approaching the valley exit point. No technical abnormality was detected during take-off or entry into the valley.
The AAIB team is working with accredited representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB), along with technical advisors, to determine the root cause of the accident. A visual examination of wreckage parts by Bell Helicopters confirmed that most damages were consequential due to heavy impact with terrain.
The interim findings also highlighted gaps in weather reporting. While an Automated Weather Instrument (AWI) at the Kedarnath helipad provides live data on winds, visibility, temperature, and pressure, it does not record cloud information. On the day of the accident, weather updates were not shared in the operators’ WhatsApp group during the first flight.
Following the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) updated its safety circular in September, introducing stricter measures for Char Dham operations, including Kedarnath shuttle flights.
