Uttarakhand makes co-pilots mandatory on Char Dham chartered flights after crash killed six

Rescue personnel carry a mortal remain as teams are deployed at the site, to recover the bodies of six people who died in a helicopter crash in Joshimath, and an intensive operation is underway to bring them back to the nearest road from the remote, mountainous spot, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, Saturday, October 31, 2026. | Photo Credit: -

A day after six people, including the pilot, was killed in a chopper crash in Joshimath, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) on Saturday (October 31, 2026) made it mandatory for helicopters operating on pilgrimage routes to carry a co-pilot.

In another decision, UCADA has also made it compulsory for all pilots to submit a report to the authorities after every flight, detailing weather conditions and other important operational information.

Speaking to media, Prateek Jain, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UCADA, said that all charter services under Char Dham yatra would now run with “two-pilot crew configuration”.

“The two-pilot crew will be mandatory from November 2,” he added.

Additionally, prior approval from the Helicopter Operations Officer (HOO) of UCADA will now be mandatory for the take-off and landing of every flight.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of UCADA with officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

According to Mr. Jain, the reporting system is being developed, and a standard format for pilots to fill information is currently being prepared. The information will help pilots scheduled to operate subsequent flights assess conditions and prepare accordingly.

According to sources, the two-pilot crew will not be applicable to chopper services in Kedarnath.

Also, a pilot above the age of 60 may also serve as a co-pilot, provided they are qualified to operate flights in mountainous regions.

Meanwhile, teams from the DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reached Joshimath on Saturday (October 31, 2026) and interacted with local residents as part of the investigation into Friday’s (October 30, 2026) crash. The teams, accompanied by UCADA officials, are scheduled to visit the accident site and gather further evidence.

Published - October 31, 2026 11:00 pm IST