Uttarakhand makes co-pilots mandatory on Char Dham chartered flights after crash killed six
Following a fatal helicopter crash in Joshimath, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority has mandated a two-pilot crew configuration for all Char Dham chartered flights. Additionally, pilots must now submit detailed operational and weather reports for every flight to improve safety standards.
Why it matters
The new regulations aim to prevent future aviation tragedies in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas, where weather conditions can change rapidly.
New Delhi A day after six people, including the pilot, was killed in a chopper crash in Joshimath, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) on Saturday (October 31, 2026) made it mandatory for helicopters operating on pilgrimage routes to carry a co-pilot. Uttarakhand chopper crash: All six on board killed, says Chamoli District Magistrate storyline 1 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttarakhand/ In another decision, UCADA has also made it compulsory for all pilots to submit a report to the authorities after every flight, detailing weather conditions and other important operational information. Helicopter sorties were allowed despite orange alert and CMO advice to regulate tourists, says activist Helicopter sorties were allowed despite orange alert and CMO advice to regulate tourists, says activist Activist Anoop Nautiyal said the tragedy was particularly disturbing as weather warnings had been issued in advance.
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