NEW DELHI: The Plane Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched its preliminary report on the helicopter crash that occurred close to Gangnani in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on Could 8, 2025. The accident concerned a BELL 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Providers Pvt Ltd. The crash resulted within the loss of life of six individuals, together with the pilot, and left one particular person severely injured. Among the many deceased have been 5 girls pilgrims who have been on their solution to the Gangotri temple. In response to the AAIB report, the helicopter started descending from its assigned altitude about 20 minutes after takeoff. The pilot tried an emergency touchdown on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Nationwide Freeway however was unsuccessful. In the course of the touchdown try, the helicopter’s predominant rotor struck an overhead fiber cable operating alongside the highway, resulting in the crash. The pilot, who was amongst these fatally injured, was 59 years previous and had 6,160 hours of flying expertise, the report acknowledged. The AAIB additionally famous, “The NTSB, USA & the TSB, Canada have appointed Accredited Consultant & Technical Advisors for this investigation. The investigation group is coordinating with them for additional plan of action required to search out out the foundation trigger(s).” It added {that a} technical advisor from Rolls-Royce had travelled to India to help with engine and powerplant-related actions. The final scheduled inspections of the helicopter have been performed on April 25, 2025, the report mentioned. The investigation is ongoing to find out the reason for the crash.
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