Uttarakhand helicopter crash: Bodies of all 6 killed in accident recovered

On October 31, 2026, the Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) of Uttarakhand made it mandatory for helicopters operating on pilgrimage routes to carry a co-pilot following a tragic chopper crash in Joshimath that killed six, including the pilot. The UCADA also made it compulsory for all pilots to submit a detailed report after every flight, outlining weather conditions and other relevant operational information.

Despite an orange alert issued for heavy to very heavy rainfall and snowfall, helicopter sorties were allowed to maintain the flow of tourists during the Char Dham yatra. Activist Anoop Nautiyal criticized the decision, highlighting that weather warnings had been issued in advance. UCADA CEO Prateek Jain announced that the two-pilot crew configuration will become mandatory for all charter services under the Char Dham yatra starting November 2, with prior approval from the Helicopter Operations Officer (HOO) of UCADA required for each flight's take-off and landing.

The reporting system is being developed, and a standard format for pilots to fill in information is currently being prepared. The investigation into the crash, which occurred on October 30, 2026, involved teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), who interacted with local residents and are scheduled to visit the accident site.