Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has enforced a fine of INR 5 lakh each on helicopter operators in Kedarnath. They also suspended officials of two other operators for three months over violation of safety regulations.

The irregularities came to light during an inspection conducted in June. This was a result, days after a chopper ferrying pilgrims to the high-altitude shrine made a hard landing on May 30. The director general of DGCA formed a team for spot check of the choppers involved in shuttle operations in Kedarnath. On June 7 and 8, the team conducted a spot check in which serious violations were noticed, prompting it to hold a detailed audit of all operators undertaking the shuttle operations.

Five operators were found not maintaining proper flying records in their technical logbooks during the audit conducted between June 13 and 16, Arun Kumar, DGCA director general, said. Two others were found violating provisions of the joint standard operating procedure. DGCA did not disclose names of the operators.

Source: ANI