Rudraprayag, June 7 — A helicopter ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on a highway in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on Saturday after developing a technical snag during take-off, officials confirmed. All six occupants, including the pilot, escaped with their lives, though the pilot sustained minor injuries.
The Kestrel Aviation-operated AW119 helicopter (registration VT-RNK) took off from the Badasu (Sersi) helipad at 12:52 p.m. en route to the Kedarnath shrine when the pilot, Capt. R.P.S. Sodhi, detected a suspected fault in the collective control mechanism—a crucial component that helps control lift. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the pilot immediately executed a controlled force landing on the road just below the helipad.
Videos circulated on social media showed the chopper resting in the middle of a narrow road near Sirsi, uncomfortably close to residential buildings. A car parked nearby was damaged by the helicopter’s tail rotor.
“There was a moment of panic as the helicopter tilted in the air and crash-landed on the road,” said an eyewitness who watched the landing from a nearby shop. “People started shouting and running.”
The pilot was rushed to a local hospital for evaluation, complaining of back pain. The passengers were unharmed and did not require medical attention, officials added.
Kedarnath heli service nodal officer Rahul Chaubey said the incident had not disrupted ongoing heli-shuttle operations to the Himalayan temple. However, ground transport was affected. With the helicopter blocking a major route, Rudraprayag police issued an appeal advising pilgrims headed to Kedarnath by road to remain where they were until the aircraft could be removed.
“Efforts are underway to clear the highway and resume normal traffic,” police said.
The DGCA confirmed that a team is being sent to the site for an on-ground assessment and investigation. “All safety protocols will be reviewed, and further steps will be taken based on findings,” the aviation watchdog said.
This incident follows a fatal crash on May 8, when a private helicopter bound for the Gangotri shrine crashed near Gangnani in Uttarkashi, killing six people, including five women pilgrims and the pilot. One male passenger survived with serious injuries.
Saturday’s emergency landing has once again raised concerns over the safety of heli services in Uttarakhand’s treacherous mountain terrain, especially during peak pilgrimage season.
