Chopper Operator’s License suspended days after accident during Char Dham Yatra

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended all operations of Kestrel Aviation PVT LTD in Uttarakhand with immediate effect after an emergency Landing of one of his helicopters on a highway In the Badasu region on Saturday. The helicopter wore pilgrims to Kedarnath when the incident took place, which led to regulations.

The suspension comes as part of a greater safety enforcement drive by the DGCA, which tightens the supervision of helicopter activities during the current Char Dham Yatra. According to an official statement, the DGCA has started a detailed safety investigation into every recent copy of emergency landings and operational incidents with helicopters in the region.

“Given the view of several events with helicopter activities during the Char Dham Yatra, it is necessary to strengthen safety supervision,” said the DGCA, who confirms its zero tolerance policy for safety violations. The air -retardant has special audits and improved supervision of all helicopter operators arranged who deal with shuttle services and charter activities in Uttarakhand.

As a precautionary measure, the DGCA also assesses the possible need to limit helicopter activities to Char Dham, further risk should be identified. Until further notice, all helicopter operators have been instructed to execute flights only under the underground effect (OGE) conditions to guarantee improved safety.

In a proactive step, the DGCA also started checking live camerafeds from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) Helicopter plates, in particular in Kedarnath, to follow helicopter movements and to comply with standard operational procedures (SOPs). Earlier today, two operators could not adhere to SOPs with regard to the right parking procedures in their helicopter plates and were suspended for two hours.

The suspension of the Kestrel Aviation follows similar action that was undertaken for safety violations against another helicopter operator in May 2025. The DGCA said that his current studies are aimed at identifying root causes, including mechanical problems, human errors and weather -related challenges, to prevent future accidents and to protect the lives of pilgrims and crew.