Uttarakhand will make co-pilots mandatory on chartered Chardham helicopter services from 2 November, following a high-level meeting between the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (YUCADA) after a helicopter crash.

Pilots will also have to submit a report to YUCADA after every flight. The measures are intended to strengthen operational oversight and passenger safety across the state’s chartered helicopter sector.

New requirements for chartered flights

Until now, chartered Chardham helicopter services operated with only a pilot on board. Under the new arrangement, every such flight will include both a pilot and a co-pilot.

The pilot’s -flight report will give YUCADA regular information about each operation. The new requirements will take effect across Uttarakhand on 2 November.

YUCADA has also directed all helicopter companies to exercise additional caution while operating services. Particular attention has been requested during flights in seasonal weather conditions, while the authority will maintain direct oversight of operations.

Trans Bharat flights suspended

All flights operated by Trans Bharat have been suspended after the company’s helicopter was involved in the accident. The company operates a Chardham chartered helicopter service from Jolly Grant Airport and also runs a service between Guptkashi and Kedarnath.

YUCADA Chief Executive Officer Prateek Jain said passengers who have already booked Trans Bharat services will be accommodated on flights operated by other helicopter companies. Services run by the remaining operators continued normally on Saturday.

The helicopter operators currently providing services at Kedarnath, apart from Trans Bharat, are Thumbi, Rajas, PilgrAviation, Aero Aircraft and Himalayan Heli.

Investigation continues at Chamoli site

A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and the DGCA reached the crash site in Chamoli on Saturday. Investigators collected necessary information from the location and searched for the helicopter’s black box.

The team remained in Chamoli after the site inspection. Once the investigation is completed, it will submit its report to the DGCA. The principal cause of the accident will be known only after that process is completed.

The new operating rules and the suspension of Trans Bharat’s flights are therefore separate immediate responses, while the technical investigation will determine what led to the crash. The authorities have not yet stated the investigation’s final findings.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand’s new rules will require a co-pilot on chartered Chardham helicopter flights and a report after every operation from 2 November. Trans Bharat’s flights remain suspended, while investigators continue examining the Chamoli crash site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When will co-pilots become mandatory on these flights?

The new requirement will apply across Uttarakhand from 2 November.

Q. Which flights are covered by the new co-pilot rule?

The rule applies to chartered Chardham helicopter services operating in Uttarakhand.

Q. What must pilots do after each flight?

Pilots must submit a report to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority after every flight.

Q. Why have Trans Bharat’s flights been suspended?

All Trans Bharat flights were suspended after the company’s helicopter was involved in the accident.

Q. What will happen to passengers booked with Trans Bharat?

According to YUCADA CEO Prateek Jain, those passengers will be accommodated on services operated by other helicopter companies.

Q. Where is the accident investigation taking place?

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and DGCA team reached the accident site in Chamoli and remained there for further investigation.

Q. What are investigators looking for at the site?

The team is collecting information and searching for the helicopter’s black box.

Q. Which other companies operate Kedarnath helicopter services?

Apart from Trans Bharat, the listed operators are Thumbi, Rajas, PilgrAviation, Aero Aircraft and Himalayan Heli.