Char Dham Helicopter Ops Face Safety Threats Due to Power Outages and Lack of Weather Updates
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A recent hard landing of a helicopter at Kedarnath has highlighted serious safety concerns in the Char Dham helicopter circuit. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recommended that authorities establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for sharing weather information with operators to prevent similar incidents. The AAIB's interim report on the May 17 accident found that the pilot did not receive weather updates due to a power outage at the Kedarnath helipad, where a dedicated meteorological facility is lacking. The Automated Weather Instrument's live data was not shared with operators during the power cut, as there was no backup power source. The AAIB has urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to direct the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to establish an SOP for timely dissemination of weather information. The agency has also recommended that UCADA make sufficient arrangements for backup power supply to critical systems. Additionally, the AAIB has asked the DGCA to take preventive measures to ensure that pilots operating in mountainous terrain meet all prescribed qualifications, including conducting a one-time audit of all helicopter operators to check for compliance with hill operation qualifications.
