A helicopter operated by Trans Bharat Aviation reportedly crashed into a hillside near Chai village in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on October 29, 2026, at approximately 2.20 pm. The aircraft was en route from Badrinath to Dehradun when it lost contact with air traffic control. The crash site is located near the JP Power House, and all six individuals on board, including the pilot, are feared dead, according to local officials.

The helicopter, bearing the call sign VT-HCX, was identified as carrying five passengers along with the pilot. At the time of the incident, it was not confirmed whether the passengers were returning from the Badrinath shrine. The situation prompted a swift response from various emergency services, including the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), who rushed to the crash site.

Sub-Inspector Manohar Kanyal from the Joshimath police post received information about the crash from the Joshimath Sub-Divisional Magistrate at 2.21 pm. The SDRF teams from Joshimath and Pandukeshwar departed for the location shortly thereafter, at 2.24 pm, to commence rescue operations.

Casualties and Immediate Response

The six individuals on board the helicopter have been identified as follows: Pilot Capt Himanshu, and passengers Prathapa, Arun, Shankar Gowda, Sudheer K, and H S Natraja. Following the incident, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) grounded the entire fleet of Trans Bharat Aviation as a precautionary measure.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken a personal interest in the situation, directing officials to ensure that any critically injured passengers are swiftly transported to higher-level medical facilities for urgent care. In a statement on social media platform X, he expressed concern over the crash and confirmed that a joint rescue operation was underway involving multiple agencies.

Dhami stated, “I am personally monitoring the situation closely. I have issued instructions to ensure that those who are critically injured are immediately airlifted to a higher-level medical facility for better treatment.” He also extended prayers for the safety of the passengers involved in the incident.

Weather Conditions at the Time of the Crash

The helicopter crash occurred amid adverse weather conditions in Uttarakhand, with reports of rainfall and snowfall across various regions. Kedarnath Dham experienced its first significant snowfall of the season, which began on October 29, following continuous precipitation since the previous Thursday. The heavy snowfall resulted in a thick blanket covering the surrounding hills, contributing to challenging flying conditions.

Dr CS Tomar, director of the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun, indicated that rainfall activity would persist in the coming days, particularly in hilly districts. On October 29, heavy rainfall was recorded in several areas, including Uttarkashi, Tehri, and Haridwar districts. Tomar noted that light to moderate showers were anticipated, especially in the Kumaon region, over the next few days.

In light of the weather forecast, district administrations have been placed on alert to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and commuters. District Magistrate Prashant Arya has instructed the District Emergency Operations Centre to remain vigilant and monitor weather conditions closely. Authorities are also overseeing road conditions and the status of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines through live CCTV feeds, advising devotees to take necessary precautions against the cold and adhere to official advisories.

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