Helicopter Bounces And Turns As It Makes Uncontrolled Hard Landing At Kedarnath | WATCH

The chopper of Thumby Aviation was ferrying pilgrims to the high-altitude Kedarnath shrine when the incident happened.

A helicopter providing shuttle service for pilgrims visiting Kedarnath Temple

Source : Getty Images

Aviation regulator DGCA has launched a probe after a private helicopter carrying Char Dham Yatra pilgrims made an uncontrolled hard landing at the helipad of Kedarnath temple last week, PTI reported. The incident took place on May 31. The chopper of Thumby Aviation was ferrying pilgrims to the high-altitude Kedarnath shrine. No passengers were injured in the incident, ANI reported.

In a video tweeted by ANI, the helicopter can be seen bouncing and turning while landing at Kedarnath helipad amid misty weather. 

DGCA officials said on May 31, at approximately 1.30 pm, a Bell 407 helicopter belonging to Thumby Aviation had an uncontrolled, very hard landing while landing at Kedarnath helipad.

"The helicopter had made an unstabilised approach to the helipad, and during the touchdown, the helicopter struck the helipad surface hard, bounced and after having lost direction by about 270 degrees, again settled down hard on the ground," PTI quoted the officials as saying.

DGCA has also issued an operational advisory to all operators for strict compliance of safety standards. In its advisory, the DGCA has asked pilots to exercise caution with regard to tail winds during approaches at the four high-altitude shrines, especially at Kedarnath, which faces a constraint of a one-way approach.

"Incident being probed, an operational advisory has been issued to all operators for strict compliance to safety standards as per joint SOP issued for these operations. A spot check is also planned for ensuring safety oversight on these operations," the DGCA advisory said.

"Adequate precautions are to be taken and if the tail/cross wind component is beyond the permissible limits, the approach is to be abandoned and helicopter is to return to base. With an increase in ambient temperatures and humidity, the power available decreases and consequently the load carrying capability reduces. This fact is to be kept in mind and, if required, the load shall be recalculated and reduced," the advisory read.

The aviation regulator further said that all helicopters flying to the Kedarnath valley have to maintain adequate spacing and operators are to ensure that pilots are qualified to undertake the operations.

There is a huge rush of pilgrims this year for the Himalayan temples since the Char Dham yatra was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic for two years. There have been at least 78 deaths among pilgrims on way to the Himalayan temples in less than a month.

(With inputs from agencies)