In a dramatic incident this morning, a faulty helicopter being airlifted from Kedarnath to Gauchar by an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter crashed after the towing chopper lost balance. The private helicopter, which had been grounded since May due to technical issues, fell near the Mandakini River in Lincholi, Uttarakhand. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, which was captured on camera.
Details of the Incident
The helicopter, belonging to Crystal Aviation, was being transported to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs when the mishap occurred. According to Rudraprayag district tourism officer Rahul Chaubey, the MI-17 aircraft had just begun its journey when it started losing balance due to the combined weight of the helicopter and strong winds. In response, the pilot decided to release the helicopter, which landed in an open area near the Tharu camp.
“There was no passenger or luggage on the helicopter at the time,” Chaubey stated, adding that rescue teams were dispatched to the site immediately after the crash.
Background on the Helicopter
The helicopter had been out of service since May 24, when it was forced to make an emergency landing near the Kedarnath helipad due to a technical snag. On that occasion, all seven passengers, including pilgrims, were unharmed. The helicopter had previously been used to ferry passengers to the Kedarnath temple, a key stop on the Chardham Yatra pilgrimage route.
Recent Challenges in Kedarnath
The incident comes at a time when the Kedarnath region is already facing challenges due to heavy rainfall and landslides, which have disrupted the pilgrimage route. Since July 31, the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath has dropped significantly. The damaged trek route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath had stranded thousands, prompting a large-scale rescue operation that involved both military and private helicopters.
Despite these challenges, over 33 lakh pilgrims have visited the Himalayan temples this year, with the Chardham Yatra beginning on May 10.
