Helicopter makes emergency landing in Kedarnath after technical snag

A medical evacuation helicopter belonging to AIIMS Rishikesh made an emergency landing in Kedarnath on Friday after developing a technical fault. The aircraft, which had flown in to pick up a patient, landed just 10 metres away from the designated helipad after experiencing a malfunction in its tail rotor.

Officials confirmed that all three people on board, including the pilot, are safe. According to District Tourism Development Officer Rahul Chaubey, the helicopter pilot acted swiftly upon detecting the fault and ensured a controlled emergency landing. Local authorities and relief teams immediately reached the scene to assist.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the cause of the incident. This emergency landing is the third helicopter-related mishap reported during the ongoing Chardham Yatra season.

Earlier this month, on May 8, a helicopter crash near Ganganani in Uttarkashi resulted in the deaths of six people, including the pilot, while one passenger was critically injured. These incidents have raised concerns about flight safety during high-altitude operations in Uttarakhand’s pilgrimage belt.

As of now, authorities are reviewing operational protocols and weather advisories for helicopter services operating in the region, especially given the increasing volume of pilgrim movement during the Yatra period.