Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), June 2025 – A helicopter carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath Dham was forced to make an emergency landing on a highway near Badasu in Rudraprayag district on Tuesday morning after suffering a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff. Thanks to the pilot’s presence of mind, all five passengers, the pilot, and the co-pilot are safe. The co-pilot reportedly sustained minor injuries.

🛬 Emergency Landing on Road After Technical Glitch

The Crystal Aviation Private Limited helicopter had just taken off from the Badasu helipad en route to Kedarnath when it encountered a technical issue mid-air. The pilot, displaying quick thinking and skill, made a safe emergency landing on a nearby road. Local police and administration teams rushed to the scene and immediately evacuated the passengers to safety.

🗣️ Official Statement from UCADA CEO

Sonika, CEO of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), confirmed the incident, stating:

“The helicopter made a precautionary landing on the road shortly after taking off from Sirsi. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed, and all other scheduled helicopter operations are continuing as normal.”

⚠️ Recent Spate of Chopper Incidents Raises Concerns

This incident follows a string of helicopter mishaps during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra season. Just last month, a heli-ambulance operated by AIIMS Rishikesh met with an accident while attempting to land at Kedarnath.

On May 8, a helicopter en route to Gangotri Dham crashed near Ganganani, claiming the lives of six people, including five women. The impact was so severe that the chopper broke into two parts, and rescue teams had to cut through the wreckage to retrieve the bodies. The accident site, located in a 200-meter-deep gorge, posed a major challenge for rescue teams.