History of the Flight
On 23 July 2013, the Bell 407 helicopter VT-TBE departed from Sehastradhara Helipad, Dehradun, for Guptkashi. It was tasked with shuttle flights between Guptkashi and Kedarnath for relief operations. During the last shuttle that day, the helicopter took off from Kedarnath for Guptkashi but returned due to bad weather. Another helicopter also returned, and both crews made a night halt at Kedarnath.
The following morning, 24 July 2013, weather remained poor. Around 1000 UTC, a slight improvement prompted both helicopters to attempt exiting Kedarnath. It was agreed that if weather deteriorated, they would land back at the camp helipad. As they crossed Garud Chetti, the crew observed that the weather ahead was packed and the valley beyond Rambada was totally closed by clouds.
The other helicopter announced its intention to turn back, which was acknowledged by VT-TBE. Upon turning, the other helicopter's crew saw that the weather behind had also closed in and visual contact with VT-TBE was lost. The other helicopter landed safely at the camp. Attempts to contact VT-TBE were unsuccessful.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants—the pilot and a technician—sustained fatal injuries. There was no fire. The helicopter was destroyed. The wreckage was found in the valley below the track path to Kedarnath. An abandoned dead cable on the hill was damaged and broken, with pieces of cabin shell and a flight manual found near it. The main rotor blades were attached but deformed; the tail boom was separated into sections. The cockpit was damaged, seats were displaced, and the instrument console was detached.
Weather and Circumstances
The accident occurred in poor visibility conditions. The helicopter encountered drifting clouds and went to the left of the valley, where it hit a dead cable running on the hill. The cable was suspended between abandoned poles.
Probable Cause
The accident occurred due to the helicopter hitting the dead cable across the hill in poor visibility conditions.