Kedarnath, October 31, 2024 – A Himalayan Heli helicopter, carrying passengers to Kedarnath, had to make an emergency landing after smoke was seen coming from its engine. The incident occurred just before landing, prompting the pilot to take immediate safety measures. Thankfully, all passengers onboard were safely evacuated.
The incident took place around 12:40 PM on Tuesday when the Himalayan Heli helicopter took off from the Sherasi helipad en route to Kedarnath. As the helicopter approached the MI-26 helipad near Kedarnath, smoke began to emerge from its engine. Sensing potential danger, the pilot performed an emergency landing, ensuring all passengers were unharmed.
According to District Tourism and Adventure Sports Officer Rahul Chaubey, who is also the nodal officer for helicopter services, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) have been informed of the incident. A technical team is expected to arrive in Kedarnath on Wednesday to inspect the helicopter.
Previous Emergency Landings in Kedarnath
This is not the first such incident in Kedarnath. On May 24, a helicopter from Crystal Company also had to make an emergency landing. Later, on August 30, an MI-17 helicopter from the Indian Army attempted to carry the malfunctioning Crystal Company helicopter for repairs. However, during transit, a stability issue arose, forcing the MI-17 to jettison the load near Tharu Camp. In a tragic incident in 2022, a Crystal Company helicopter crashed near Kedarnath, resulting in the loss of seven lives, including the pilot.
