Fickle weather, inadequate sector-specific training among factors behind spate of helicopter accidents

AIR MISHAPS IN THE CHAR DHAM AREA

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DEHRADUN: Fickle weather conditions and inadequacy of sector-specific training among pilots are among the variety of factors responsible for the alarming rise in the frequency of air accidents in the Char Dham area, according to a pilot with extensive experience of flying in the region.

An overburdened aviation infrastructure and the absence of a centralised supervisory authority on the ground to monitor the movement of helicopters are the other issues cited by him.

An Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd's chopper with seven on board crashed and caught fire on Sunday while returning from Kedarnath over the forests of Gaurikund, killing all passengers including pilgrims, the pilot and a 23-month-old toddler. It was the fifth air accident involving a helicopter on the route within one and a half months since the start of the Char Dham yatra on April 30 this year.