An Airbus H125 helicopter flying from Badrinath to Dehradun crashed near Chai village close to Joshimath in Uttarakhand, killing one pilot and 5 passengers. The incident involved an aircraft widely used for passenger transport and other operations in challenging terrain.
The H125 belongs to the AS350 helicopter family. Its predecessor, the Eurocopter AS350 B3, made a recorded landing and takeoff at the summit of Mount Everest on 14 May 2005. The aircraft manufacturer was then known as Eurocopter and later became Airbus Helicopters.
The AS350 B3e was subsequently renamed the H125. The series has since been associated with operations in high-altitude and remote areas, where conventional road and transport links can be difficult to use.
Capacity and operating role
According to the available aircraft information, the H125 can carry a maximum of 6 passengers alongside one pilot. That gives it a total stated capacity of 7 people, although the number of passengers carried can vary according to the flight conditions and cabin configuration.
The helicopter is used for several roles, including passenger services, tourism, aerial surveys, disaster relief, rescue missions, medical emergencies and police operations. Its cabin and equipment can be rearranged for different assignments.
The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 136 knots, equivalent to about 252 kilometres per hour. Its stated range is approximately 630 kilometres under specified maximum-takeoff-weight conditions.
These capabilities help explain why helicopters such as the H125 are used in mountainous regions. They can reach locations that may be difficult to access by road, while their configuration can be adapted for passenger, emergency or specialist work.
Everest record and cockpit systems
The AS350 B3’s Everest achievement remains the best-known record associated with the family. The helicopter landed at the 8,848-metre summit and took off again in May 2005. The record is described as still standing.
The H125 is equipped with a touchscreen glass cockpit designed to support pilot safety and reduce workload. Its systems include the Garmin G500H TXi avionics suite and Airbus’ Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display, known as VEMD.
The VEMD allows pilots to monitor key vehicle and engine parameters at a glance. The helicopter also has a wireless connection that automatically transfers flight data after each flight.
India manufacturing plans
Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems have established a final assembly line for the H125 at Vemagal in Karnataka. The facility was inaugurated on 17 February 2026.
The first India-made H125 helicopter from the facility is expected to be delivered at the beginning of 2027. The project has been presented as a step towards expanding helicopter manufacturing in India and supporting disaster management, tourism and regional air connectivity.
The crash near Joshimath involved 6 people, according to the available report: one pilot and 5 passengers. The aircraft’s technical specifications and intended mountain role do not, by themselves, establish the cause of the accident.
Conclusion
The Uttarakhand crash killed the H125’s pilot and 5 passengers. The aircraft is designed for varied operations in difficult terrain, while the cause of this particular crash is not established in the available information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did the helicopter crash?
It crashed at Chai village near Joshimath in Uttarakhand.
Q. Where was the helicopter flying from and to?
The helicopter was flying from Badrinath to Dehradun.
Q. How many people died in the crash?
one pilot and 5 passengers died, making 6 deaths in total.
Q. Which helicopter model was involved?
The aircraft was an Airbus H125.
Q. How many passengers can an H125 carry?
The H125 can carry a maximum of 6 passengers with one pilot, subject to flight conditions and cabin configuration.
Q. What is the H125’s maximum cruise speed?
Its maximum cruise speed is 136 knots, or about 252 kilometres per hour.
Q. What is the H125’s stated range?
Its stated range is approximately 630 kilometres under specified maximum-takeoff-weight conditions.
Q. What record is linked to the AS350 family?
A Eurocopter AS350 B3 landed and took off at the summit of Mount Everest on 14 May 2005.
