New Delhi, Oct 16 Aircraft accident probe agency AAIB has recommended that pilots should have minimum flying experience in hilly regions before they commence single-pilot helicopter operations in the Kedarnath valley, as it released the final report on the fatal chopper crash that killed seven people in June 2025.
Further, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has suggested arrangements for recording communications between flight crew and Sitapur control centre that manages air traffic in the Kedarnath valley, as those recordings can be utilised to probe safety-related occurrences.
Aryan Aviation’s Bell 407 helicopter VT-BKA, operating a shuttle flight from Shri Kedarnath to Guptkashi in Uttarakhand, crashed on June 15 last year, and AAIB has flagged limited flying experience of the pilot as well as sudden build-up and faster descending of clouds as probable causes for the accident.
The crew’s decision to continue the flight on the same route/altitude and not deviate or turn back in time, even after observing the build-up and fast-approaching clouds, is another probable reason cited by the AAIB, which also said no abnormality was reported in the helicopter by the pilot after the pre-flight inspections or during the entire flight till accident.
“The accident occurred as the crew could not assess the fast-descending clouds towards the flight path, thereby continued the flight wherein it got disoriented and impacted the terrain on the right side. The deviation from the track was probably due to the pilot attempted a turn back to Kedarnath with no visual cues,” the report, dated October 13, said.
There were six passengers and one pilot onboard in the ill-fated helicopter.
In its safety recommendations, AAIB said there was a requirement to look into the specific experience/skill possessed by the individual pilot before they are released for the first time for operating in the critical high-altitude operations like that of Kedarnath valley wherein single-pilot operations are carried out.
“It is recommended that DGCA may consider amending the specific requirements… to include the requirement of minimum 50 hrs of dual sorties with an experienced pilot in hill operations before a pilot is released for hill flying as single-pilot operations for the first time in the valley/region,” the report said.
Following earlier accidents, a control centre has been set up in Sitapur to manage the traffic in the Kedarnath valley.
AAIB also recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) put in place an oversight mechanism of the control centre and make arrangements for recording the radio telephony communication between the controller and flight crew.
“… it is recommended that DGCA may include the provisions of oversight of the established control centre in the said circular and direct UCADA to make necessary arrangements for recording the RT communication between controller and flight crew, which can be utilised for proper supervision during audits/surveillance and can be a critical evidence for investigating any safety-related occurrences,” the report said.
(PTI News)
