A devastating helicopter crash in Uttarakhand claimed six lives when the main rotor blade of a Bell 407 helicopter struck an overhead fibre cable, causing it to plummet down a hillside, according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The preliminary report, released on Saturday, details the tragic incident that occurred on May 8, 2025.

The 17-year-old helicopter, operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd, was carrying six passengers when it crashed just 24 minutes after taking off from Kharsali helipad at 8:11 AM. The pilot and five passengers perished, while one survivor sustained severe injuries.

According to the AAIB’s five-page report, the helicopter was airborne for 20 minutes before descending from its assigned altitude. During an attempted landing on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road (NH 34) near Gangnani, the rotor blade collided with a fibre cable running parallel to the road. The impact also damaged roadside metallic barricades. Unable to land, the helicopter tumbled approximately 250 feet down a gorge, coming to rest against a tree.

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The Bell 407, powered by a Rolls-Royce engine and manufactured in 2008, was completely destroyed, though no fire broke out. The AAIB is now collaborating with representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board and Canada’s Transportation Safety Board to determine the root cause of the accident.

Further investigations are underway to uncover why the helicopter descended and what led to the fatal crash in Uttarkashi at 8:35 AM. The tragedy has raised concerns about aviation safety in challenging terrains like Uttarakhand.

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