Executive Summary:
This document summarizes details regarding air accidents in India in 2025, with a focus on helicopter operations in Uttarakhand. It addresses queries raised in Lok Sabha regarding increased air accidents, safety warnings post the Air India crash, and the Uttarakhand helicopter crash. The report details actions taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), including audits, suspensions, and enforced safety measures following these incidents.
Key Points / Main Content:
Accident Overview:
* A total of 8 accidents involving 1 scheduled aircraft, 3 trainee aircraft, and 4 helicopters were reported in 2025.
* No accidents occurred after the Uttarakhand helicopter crash on June 15, 2025.
Post-Air India Flight AI171 Incident:
* Following the Air India flight AI171 accident on June 12, 2025, one emergency landing occurred on June 27, 2025.
* Indigo flight 6E1014 from Singapore to Delhi diverted and landed safely in Kuala Lumpur due to a warning that later proved spurious.
DGCA Actions and Safety Measures:
* DGCA conducted a Special Audit of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and Helicopter Operators from June 12, 2025, to June 22, 2025.
* DGCA suspended the helicopter operations approval for Ms Aryan Aviation in Uttarakhand, effective June 15, 2025, pending investigation.
* DGCA enforced safety measures on UCADA and Helicopter Operators, including:
* Suitable parking arrangements
* Helicopter maintenance
* Markings at helipads
* Barricading of the movement area
* Access control
* Passenger movement
* Slot allocations
* Pilot training
* Strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Details of Accidents (Annexure A Summary):
* Various accidents involving trainee and commercial aircraft, including hard landings, crashes, and boundary wall collisions, are detailed with specific dates, locations, and operator names.
* Incidents involving Pinnace Air and Aryan Aviation helicopters in the Kedarnath region are noted, one involving a tail boom separation during a precautionary landing and the other a crash during shuttle services due to bad weather.
Impact Analysis:
UCADA and Helicopter Operators:
* Impact: Subject to special audits and must adhere to enhanced safety measures. One operator, Aryan Aviation, had operations suspended.
* Action Required: Implement DGCA-enforced safety measures related to parking, maintenance, markings, access control, passenger movement, slot allocations, pilot training, and SOP adherence.
Ms Aryan Aviation:
* Impact: Suspension of helicopter operations approval in Uttarakhand.
* Action Required: Cooperate with the DGCA investigation and address any identified issues to regain operational approval.
Passengers and Public:
* Impact: Increased safety measures aim to improve the overall safety of helicopter services, particularly in the Uttarakhand region.
* Action Required: Be aware of enhanced safety protocols and adhere to guidelines provided by operators.
DGCA:
* Impact: Responsible for enforcing safety measures and conducting investigations.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring and enforcing safety standards, conducting audits, and addressing safety concerns raised by incidents.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Uttarakhand: A state in Northern India, location of a recent helicopter crash near Kedarnath.
Air India: A major Indian airline; reference to a flight crash on June 12, 2025.
Kedarnath: A town in Uttarakhand, India and the site of a helicopter crash on June 15, 2025.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The Indian governmental regulatory body for civil aviation.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA): A civil aviation authority in Uttarakhand, India that was subject to a special audit by the DGCA.
Aryan Aviation: A helicopter operator whose operations in Uttarakhand were suspended pending investigation.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat: A city in Gujarat, India where an Air India aircraft crashed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1916
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 31st July 2025 )
HELICOPTER CRASH IN UTTARAKHAND
1916. SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL
COM. SELVARAJ V
SHRI SUBBARAYAN K
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether there has been a recent increase in the number of major air
accidents in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any safety warnings or emergency incidents occurred shortly
after the Air India Flight crash on June 12, 2025 and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) whether other recent air accidents such as the Uttarakhand helicopter
crash on June 15, 2025 near Kedarnath have also occurred and if so, the
details thereof;
(d) whether the Government/any concerned agency has conducted
enquiry, initiated any regulatory review, implemented safety measures,
imposed penalties or operational restrictions in response to these
incidents and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken to ensure safe operations of helicopter services in
Uttarakhand region?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri
Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c): There have been a total of 08 accidents (involving 1 scheduled
aircraft, 3 trainee aircraft and 4 helicopters) reported in the year 2025 (till
date). The details are attached at Annexure A. No such accident occurred
after Uttarakhand helicopter crash on 15 June, 2025.;;
Post AI-171 accident on 12.06.2025 at Ahmedabad, one case of emergency
landing was reported on 27.06.2025, where Indigo flight 6E-1014
(Singapore-Delhi) was diverted and landed safely at Kuala Lumpur. Later
on, warning was found to be spurious.;
;
(d) & (e): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) carried out Special
Audit of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and
Helicopter Operators from 12.06.2025 to 22.06.2025.;
;
Vide DGCA order dated 15.06.2025, the approval granted for helicopter
operations of M/s Aryan Aviation in the state of Uttarakhand was
suspended, pending investigation.;
;
DGCA has enforced safety measures on UCADA and Helicopter Operators
for suitable parking arrangement, helicopter maintenance, marking at
helipads, barricading of the movement area, access control, passenger
movement, slot allocations, pilot training, and ensuring strict adherence
to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).;
******Annexure A
Details of Accidents to Indian Civil Registered Aircraft for the year
2025
Ai
Ai
S rc
rc
. ra Operat
Da Pla ra
N ft or Brief Description of event
te ce ft
o R Name
Ty
. e
pe
g
1 31 Me C V Blue During Solo flight the trainee pilot declared
. - hs es T- Ray low fuel levels followed by loss of RPM.
M an sn P Aviatio Thereafter aircraft landed approximately 5
ar- a a B miles from Mehsana. RH wing leading edge
n Pvt.
25 15 A tip was substantially damaged.
Ltd.
2
2 22 Am Te V Vision During a solo circuit and landing flight by a
. - reli en T- Flying trainee, the aircraft crashed during the fifth
Ap a V Trainin circuit in a field. The aircraft caught fire and
r- m D g Instit was burnt.
25 20 F ute
08
J
C
3 4- Ali Di V Pionee The aircraft during landing bounced and
. M gar a T- r Flying subsequently exited the runway and hit the
ay h m P Acade boundary wall during solo flight. The aircraft
- on N my Pvt. sustained substantial damage.
25 d H Ltd.
D
A
40
4 8- Utt B V Aerotra Helicopter was involved in an accident while
. M ark ell T- ns operating a charter flight from Kharsali
ay as 40 O Aviatio helipad to Jhala helipad.
- hi 7 X n
25 F Service
s Pvt.
Ltd.Ai
Ai
S rc
rc
. ra Operat
Da Pla ra
N ft or Brief Description of event
te ce ft
o R Name
Ty
. e
pe
g
5 17 Ke Ai V Pinnacl Helicopter was involved in an accident while
. - dar rb T- e Air operating an aero- ambulance flight from
M nat us K Pvt. AIIMS, Rishikesh to kedarnath. Helicopter
ay h A B Ltd. made a precautionary landing at the Lower
- Hel S S KedarnathJi Helipad and in the process tail
25 ipa 35 boom of the aircraft got separated.
d 0
B
2
6 07 Se Le V Kestrel The helicopter was operating shuttle
. - rsi on T- Aviatio services. The Helicopter took off from
Ju ar R n Pvt. badasu (sersi) helipad and landed
n- do N Ltd. immediately at main road just below the
25 A K helipad.
W
11
9
7 12 Ah B V Air Shortly after take-off at Ahmedabad, aircraft
. - me oe T- India crashed into building of the BJ medical
Ju da in A Limited college in the Meghaninagar area of
n- ba g N Ahmedabad.
25 d B B
78
7-
90
0
8 15 Ga B V Aryan Helicopter crashed while carrying out shuttle
. - uri ell T- Aviatio services from Kedarntah to Guptakashi in
Ju Ku 40 B n Pvt. bad weather.
n- nd 7 K Ltd
25 A
*****