Tragedy in the Kedarnath Valley: A Deep Dive into the VT-BKA Bell 407 Crash
Introduction: A Fatal Morning in the Himalayas On the morning of June 15, 2025 , a routine pilgrimage flight turned into a devastating aviation tragedy in the Kedarnath Valley, one of the most challenging flying environments in the world. A Bell 407 helicopter, registered as VT-BKA , was operating a standard shuttle mission when it vanished shortly after departing Kedarnath. Onboard were six pilgrims and one pilot . None survived. The crash occurred just 5.6 nautical miles from the helipad. An interim report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) later revealed a tragic chain of events involving rapidly changing weather, lack of real-time meteorological data, and a split-second decision in unforgiving terrain. The Timeline: How the Day Began The mission started early at the Aryan Aviation helipad in Guptkashi. 4:30 a.m. – The pilot arrived, conducted pre-flight checks, and assessed weather conditions using CCTV feeds and available visual cues. 5:10 a.m. ...