Disaster Averted on Kedarnath Route: Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing After Technical Malfunction
A private helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in the Guptkashi region of Uttarakhand shortly after take-off due to a technical malfunction. All five passengers on board escaped unharmed, while the pilot sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital with complaints of back pain. A parked vehicle suffered minor damage during the incident.
The incident occurred at around 12:52 PM on Saturday, when a helicopter operated by Krestel Aviation Private Limited took off from the Badasu base en route to Kedarnath Dham. Shortly after take-off, a technical fault was detected mid-air. Suspecting a jam in the collective control system, pilot Captain RPS Sodhi acted swiftly and carried out a controlled but hard landing on an empty road just below the helipad.
During the landing, the helicopter’s tail struck a parked vehicle, causing material damage. However, thanks to the pilot’s timely and composed response, a major accident was averted. All five passengers on board were safely evacuated.
Rahul Chaubey, District Tourism Development Officer and Nodal Officer for Heli Services, commented on the incident, stating: “A major tragedy was avoided due to the pilot’s quick recognition of the issue and prompt decision-making. Our teams responded immediately, securing the area and removing the helicopter from the road in a short time.”
Local authorities confirmed that helicopter transport services in Guptkashi were not disrupted following the incident and that flight operations continued as normal.
