On 30 October 2026, a helicopter operated by Trans India Aviation was on a routine flight from Dehradun to Kedarnath. The aircraft carried six occupants: five passengers from Bengaluru and the principal of a Vidya Bharti School from Tumakuru district.
While traversing the high‑altitude terrain near the village of Chay in Joshimath district, the helicopter encountered harsh weather conditions. The aircraft failed to maintain altitude and struck the rocky ground, breaking apart on impact. All six occupants were killed instantly.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow, stating, "The tragic incident of helicopter crash in Joshimath's Chay village has deeply saddened me. Efforts are being made to ensure rescue operations, district administration, ESIDAR, and ITBI facilities are mobilized." He also noted his concern about the possibility of a similar accident in the Chai Gram area and said the situation was being closely monitored.
The investigation is being led by the State Security Investigation (SSI) along with other agencies.
The investigation is being led by the State Security Investigation (SSI) along with other agencies. Early findings point to sudden adverse weather as a likely factor. The probe will also examine the helicopter’s operational records.
Trans India Aviation has suspended all helicopter operations pending the outcome of the investigation. The focus remains on determining the cause of the crash and ensuring that safety measures are reinforced for future flights in the mountainous region.
"The tragic incident of helicopter crash in Joshimath's Chay village has deeply saddened me. Efforts are being made to ensure rescue operations, district administration, ESIDAR, and ITBI facilities are mobilized."
Char Dham trip ends in tragedy for five Bengaluru friends as helicopter crashes in Chamoli @ArunDev1 & Coovercolly Indresh ✍️ https://t.co/290l2zJPMo