Uttarakhand chopper crash: Police book Aryan Aviation firm managers; suspend licence of 2 pilots

Late on Sunday evening, a police report was filed against Aryan Aviation Private Limited - the company responsible for operating the helicopter which crashed around 5.30am the same day, leaving seven people dead.

 

The report notes that the company had been allocated the 6-7am slot for the first operation on the said date, yet the time of the accident made it clear that this timing had been violated.

 

A check of the prevailing weather conditions is mandatory before such take-offs. On Sunday morning, the weather was cloudy and overcast, yet the chopper took off in clear violation of standard operating procedures put in place by the central and state aviation authorities. The report names two managers, Vikas Tomar and Kaushal Pathak, for being deliberately negligent in the face of these weather conditions. It states that the two knew that flying in such conditions could lead to loss of life and property. The two have been accused of negligence and are being held directly responsible for the loss of seven lives.

 

The FIR has been filed under Section 105 of the BNS - culpable homicide not amounting to murder which carries a punishment of not less than five years. Police have also booked the managers under Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, 1934. This deals with penalties for violating rules made under the Act. Violations can result in imprisonment, fines, or both. 

 

Meanwhile, the company’s operations for the Char Dham yatra have been stopped with immediate effect. In addition, two helicopters belonging to TransBharat Aviation were also found to have been flying under Sunday’s unsuitable conditions. The license of both pilots flying the choppers has been suspended. All chopper operations in the Yatra shall remain suspended on Monday.

 

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority has been directed, by the state’s chief minister, to hold a comprehensive review with all operators and pilots before resumption of activities to ensure complete compliance with rules and safety protocols.

 

The Authority will also set up a dedicated command and control centre to monitor real-time operations and ensure immediate escalation of any risk indicators.

India