Uttarkashi Helicopter Crash: Rotor struck fiber cable during emergency landing, says AAIB report

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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the initial report into the tragic helicopter crash that took place near Gangnani in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, on May 8, 2025.

The accident involved a BELL 407 helicopter operated by Aerotrans Services Pvt Ltd and claimed six lives, including that of the pilot. One person sustained serious injuries.

According to the AAIB report, the helicopter had been airborne for around 20 minutes when it began descending from its designated altitude. In an attempt to make an emergency landing on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri National Highway, the aircraft's main rotor came into contact with an overhead fiber optic cable running parallel to the road. The collision caused the helicopter to crash.

The report also highlighted international involvement in the ongoing probe. Both the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) have appointed accredited representatives and technical advisors to assist with the investigation.

A technical advisor from Rolls-Royce has also travelled to India to support the inquiry, particularly with matters related to the helicopter’s engine and powerplant.

The last scheduled inspection of the aircraft was carried out on April 25, 2025, just days before the fatal flight.