Goa, July 20 -- Over two months after the tragic helicopter crash near Gangnani in Uttarkashi, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report, identifying the main rotor blade striking an overhead fibre cable as the probable cause of the accident. The May 8 crash killed six of the seven people on board, including the pilot.

According to the AAIB, the helicopter, operated under charter for the Char Dham Yatra, had departed Sahastradhara helipad at 7:45 AM with six passengers. After dropping one group at Kharsali, it picked up another for Jhala. Around 20 minutes into this second leg, the helicopter began descending near Gangnani on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Road (NH 34).

During the attempted emergency...