World · India Bureau
Six dead in Badrinath helicopter crash near Joshimath
A helicopter operated by Trans Bharat Aviation crashed in the Joshimath area while flying between Badrinath and Dehradun, killing all six people on board including the pilot. The Accidents and Incidents Board has launched an investigation as the operator's fleet remains grounded.
LSN India ·
The helicopter went down in a remote mountainous region near Joshimath in Uttarakhand while on a scheduled service between the pilgrimage town of Badrinath and Dehradun. The aircraft, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, was carrying five pilgrims and a pilot when the accident occurred. Local authorities confirmed all six occupants perished in the crash.
Response teams reached the crash site following reports of the incident. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, though the mountainous terrain and weather conditions in the region present significant hazards for aviation operations.
The Accidents and Incidents Board (AAIB) has assumed jurisdiction over the investigation in accordance with standard aviation safety protocols. Following the incident, Trans Bharat Aviation's entire fleet has been grounded pending a review of operations and safety procedures. The move affects other scheduled helicopter services operated by the company across the region.
The crash marks another fatal aviation incident in India's helicopter operations sector. Helicopter services remain critical for transporting pilgrims and essential supplies to remote areas of the Indian Himalayas, though the harsh environmental conditions and challenging terrain pose ongoing safety challenges for operators.