A helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand claimed six lives on Friday, October 30, 2026. The aircraft, carrying five passengers and a pilot, crashed near Chai village in Chamoli district while returning from Badrinath. All six people onboard died in the accident, making it a major aviation tragedy in the Himalayan region.
Helicopter Crashes During Return Journey
The helicopter, operated by Transbharat Aviation Pvt Ltd, was an AS350B3 model bearing registration number VT-HCX. It took off from the Badrinath helipad at approximately 1:14 PM and was travelling towards Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun.
At around 2:20 PM, the helicopter crashed in a forested area near Chai village in the Joshimath region. The impact left the aircraft severely damaged, killing everyone on board.
Five Passengers and Pilot Lose Their Lives
The helicopter was carrying six people, including one pilot and five passengers. None of them survived the crash.
The accident occurred in a mountainous region with difficult terrain, making access to the crash site challenging. The incident sent shockwaves through the area and raised fresh concerns about helicopter safety in Uttarakhand's mountain routes.
Rescue Teams Reach the Crash Site
Local authorities and rescue teams immediately launched an operation after receiving information about the crash. Personnel reached the location and recovered the bodies of all six victims.
Rain and poor visibility created additional difficulties for rescue personnel operating in the forested region. The bodies were subsequently taken for the necessary legal and identification procedures.
DGCA Initiates Investigation Into Crash
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated action to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. A team was sent to Dehradun to conduct a preliminary assessment.
The exact cause of the crash is yet to be established. Investigators will examine the helicopter's technical condition, flight details, weather conditions and other possible contributing factors.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the challenges of operating aircraft in the Himalayan region, where changing weather and difficult geographical conditions make aviation operations particularly demanding.