Bulgarian pilot k*illed, British national rescued after mid-air emergency near Dharamshala; recent accidents and mounting economic concerns raise questions over flight safety in Himachal’s premier paragliding destination
Munish Sood
BIR-BILLING
A fatal paragliding accident involving two foreign pilots has brought safety concerns at Himachal Pradesh’s world-famous Bir-Billing flying site into sharp focus, triggering a temporary suspension of solo flights, protests by pilots and tourism stakeholders, and calls for a standard operating procedure (SOP) that balances safety with the interests of the local economy.
The 47-year-old Bulgarian pilot, identified as Maksim Valentinovich Gavrilichenko, d*ied after his paraglider reportedly went out of control amid strong winds near Rising Star Peak in Khaniyara, Dharamshala, on October 25. His 63-year-old British companion, Stephen Antony Purdie, was rescued after being forced to land in the mountainous terrain. Both had taken off separately from Bir-Billing.
According to Kangra police, information about the incident was received between 3 pm and 3.30 pm. A joint operation involving the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Him Sanchar Rescue Team continued overnight in difficult terrain and adverse weather. The Bulgarian pilot’s body was recovered the following morning, while the British national was brought to safety.
Kangra Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma said preliminary information indicated that strong winds and air pressure had caused the Bulgarian pilot to lose control. The exact circumstances are subject to investigation and the necessary medical and legal formalities.
Three-day restrictions trigger concern among local stakeholders
Following the accident and a series of other incidents, the Kangra district administration ordered a temporary suspension of solo and cross-country paragliding flights at Bir-Billing until October 28.
The administration cited adverse weather conditions and recent accidents as reasons for the precautionary measure. Tandem flights, in which a tourist flies with a qualified pilot, were allowed to continue under prescribed safety conditions, subject to weather assessment and compliance with operational guidelines.
However, the restrictions have prompted concern among local residents, tourism operators and foreign pilots who regularly visit Bir-Billing during the flying season.
A delegation of pilots and local stakeholders met Rajya Sabha MP Anurag Sharma and highlighted the potential economic consequences of suspending solo flying. They argued that foreign pilots often stay in the region for extended periods, contributing to business for hotels, homestays, restaurants, cafés, transport providers and other tourism-related establishments.
The delegation warned that prolonged restrictions could prompt visiting pilots to shift to Manali or other flying destinations, affecting local livelihoods at the height of the tourism season. Concerns were also raised that a blanket suspension without a clear operating framework could encourage some pilots to explore unauthorised take-off locations.
Sharma subsequently spoke to the concerned officials and called for an SOP to address safety concerns while facilitating the resumption of solo flights. The immediate challenge for the administration is to establish clear and enforceable rules without compromising the safety of pilots and tourists.
A troubling series of incidents in the Dhauladhar mountains
The fatal accident is not an isolated development. According to reports published on October 26 and 27, six to seven crashes and forced landings had been reported in the preceding days, prompting renewed questions about weather assessment, flight monitoring and rescue preparedness.
In another incident, Austrian pilot Sebastian and Polish national Adam Bisztyga were rescued after being stranded in the higher reaches of the Dhauladhar mountains. Reports said the Austrian pilot had remained stranded for four nights, while the Polish pilot had been stranded for two nights.
A Bihar-based paraglider, Gautam Kumar Bharti, was also rescued on October 24, according to published reports.
These incidents have intensified concerns about the risks posed by changing mountain weather, strong winds, poor visibility and difficult terrain. They have also highlighted the importance of timely communication between pilots, flying-site operators and rescue agencies.
Tourism season brings economic stakes into focus
Bir-Billing is one of India’s best-known paragliding destinations and an important source of tourism-related employment in Kangra district. The autumn flying season resumed around September 20 after weather conditions improved, and reports earlier this month indicated an average of around 200 flights a day.
The revival had raised expectations among local businesses that the arrival of domestic tourists and international pilots would provide a significant boost to the regional economy.
However, the International Paragliding World Cup has also been a source of uncertainty. A report published by The Tribune on October 14 said the state Tourism Department had not received the necessary proposal to host the championship and that no official notification confirming the event had been issued at that time.
The uncertainty surrounding the competition, combined with weather-related interruptions and the latest safety restrictions, has added to the concerns of tourism stakeholders hoping for a strong season.
Safety and livelihoods need a common framework
The latest developments have placed the administration under pressure to find a workable solution. While temporary restrictions may be necessary during unsafe weather conditions, the recurring accidents underline the need for a more comprehensive approach to adventure-sports management.
A clearly defined SOP could establish stricter weather-clearance requirements, mandatory communication and flight tracking, checks on pilot credentials and equipment, defined operating limits, and coordinated emergency-response protocols.
For Bir-Billing, the issue extends beyond the temporary suspension of flights. The challenge is to protect the destination’s international reputation, safeguard lives and ensure that local businesses do not bear the cost of uncertainty arising from recurring accidents.
The immediate restrictions are scheduled to remain in force until October 28. The response that follows—particularly the proposed SOP and the administration’s decision on resuming solo flights—will be closely watched by pilots, tourism operators and residents whose livelihoods depend on Bir-Billing’s adventure-tourism economy.
