In a dramatic incident, a Kestral Aviation helicopter narrowly avoided disaster while approaching the helipad in northern India’s Uttarakhand.

The incident took place in Kedarnath of Rudraprayag district on May 24.

Visuals showed how the out-of-control helicopter landed away from the helipad and scared the people around with them panicking and running around to save themselves.

The aircraft was en route from Sersi to Kedarnath, a popular pilgrimage site in the Indian Himalayas. Despite the mishap, all crew members and passengers emerged unscathed.

Speaking to Newslions, an Official from the Intelligence Unit said around 7 am, the Agusta A119 Koala helicopter, registered as VT-CLR, lost control and landed just short of its intended target. The passengers travelling were from Tamil Nadu namely Shivaji, Ullu Bankat Chalam, Maheshwari, Sundara Raj, Sumati, and Mayur Baghwani.

Authorities from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the loss of control.

Kedarnath is known for its remote location and challenging weather conditions, making aviation safety a critical concern in the area. The swift response and skilful handling by the crew ensured that what could have been a tragic accident ended with everyone safe.