Slender Escape for Helicopter Ambulance in Kedarnath Emergency Touchdown
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, Could 17, 2025 – A ‘Sanjeevani’ heli ambulance operated by AIIMS Rishikesh narrowly prevented catastrophe on Saturday when it crash-landed close to the Kedarnath helipad attributable to a technical snag. The incident occurred round 11:50 AM whereas the helicopter was making an attempt to land to rescue a pilgrim affected by respiratory misery. All three passengers on board—a pilot, a physician, and a nursing workers member—escaped unhurt, due to the pilot’s fast considering and skillful maneuver.
In keeping with Rahul Chaubey, District Tourism Improvement Officer and nodal officer for heli companies, the helicopter’s tail rotor malfunctioned, forcing the pilot to make an emergency touchdown on a flat floor roughly 100 meters from the Kedarnath helipad. The tail of the helicopter was broken through the touchdown, however no accidents had been reported. “The pilot’s presence of thoughts averted a significant accident,” Chaubey stated, confirming that each one occupants had been protected and had been examined by medical personnel.
The heli ambulance had been dispatched from AIIMS Rishikesh to airlift a affected person, recognized as Shree Devi, who was experiencing respiration difficulties through the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. The high-altitude Kedarnath temple, positioned at 11,700 toes, sees heavy helicopter visitors through the pilgrimage season, which runs from April to November, as many devotees depend on heli companies to entry the distant shrine.
Visuals shared on social media captured the tense moments of the emergency touchdown, exhibiting the helicopter struggling to stabilize earlier than touching down. Posts on X praised the pilot’s composure, with one person stating, “A real hero within the cockpit saved lives in the present day.” The Directorate Common of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced an investigation to find out the reason for the technical failure, with officers emphasizing the necessity for stringent security checks given the difficult terrain and excessive demand for heli companies within the area.
This incident follows a historical past of helicopter mishaps in Kedarnath, together with a 2019 crash-landing the place a non-public helicopter carrying six pilgrims narrowly escaped catastrophe after its tail hit an object, and a 2024 emergency touchdown attributable to a rotor failure. The Kedarnath route, serviced by a number of aviation firms, operates below strict rules as a result of slim valley and high-altitude circumstances, but incidents like these spotlight ongoing security issues.
The Uttarakhand authorities has reiterated its dedication to pilgrim security, with Chief Secretary Radha Raturi urging all Char Dham Yatra guests to register and cling to journey tips. Authorities confirmed that heli companies to Kedarnath stay operational, and the investigation into Saturday’s incident will goal to forestall future occurrences.
By Anil Sharma, Regional Correspondent
