May 15, 1956

Kathmandu (LDG)

Shimla - KTM/VNKT

The Indian Airlines DC-3 touched down at Kathmandu at an excessive speed. The aircraft bounced and stalled. Go around power was applied, but remaining runway length was insufficient; the plane overran the end of the runway and went down a steep slope and crashed.

Casualties (14)

March 24, 1958

Patnebhanjyang (ENR)

SIF/VNSI - KTM/VNKT

Due to a navigational error the DC-3 entered a wrong valley while on its way to Kathmandu. While manoeuvring to make a turn the aircraft stalled and crashed.

Casualties (20)

November 5, 1960

Bhairahwa (TOF)

BWA/VNBW - NO-DATA

Crashed on takeoff and caught fire.

Casualties (4)

August 1, 1962

Tulachan Dhuri (ENR)

KTM/VNKT - DEL/VIDP

The DC-3 took off from Kathmandu-Gaucher Airport at 12:21 for a flight to New Delhi. The crew were cleared direct to New Delhi, cruising altitude 8500 feet. The pilot was to receive a weather forecast en route, because no forecast was available before takeoff. Last radio contact with the flight was at 13:15 when the pilot reported to Calcutta FIC "83 deg East at 8500 ft". The wreckage was found August 9, located on a mountain top at 11200 feet altitude.

Casualties (10)

July 12, 1969

Near Heatauda (ENR)

KTM/VNKT - SIF/VNSI

Collided with a tree while traversing a cloud covered ridge at 7300 feet msl.

Casualties (35)

January 25, 1970

New Delhi (APR)

KTM/VNKT - DEL/VIDP

While on final approach to Delhi, the aircraft was caught in severe thunderstorms with turbulence and down draughts. The pilot couldn't control the aircraft, and the F-27 crashed short of runway 28.

Casualties (1)

May 10, 1973

TIA (LDG)

NO-DATA - KTM/VNKT

he DC-8, named "Srisubhan", touchdown far, overran the runway, and crossed a concrete drain.

Casualties (1)

March 31, 1975

Bouddha, Kathmandu (ICL)

Kathmandu - Phaplu

Crashed shortly after take-off near Kathmandu Airport. Among those killed were wife Louise and daughter Belinda (16) of Sir Edmund Hillary.

Casualties (5)

December 27, 1979

Langtang (ENR)

Kathmandu - Langtang

Crashed. Five Germans.

Casualties (6)

October 30, 1981

Biratnagar (TOF)

BIR/VNVT - KTM/VNKT

Crashed after take-off

Casualties (10)

December 22, 1984

Cheklatidanda (ENR)

TMI/VNTR - KTM/VNKT

The aircraft crashed off course. Bad weather and error in judgement could have been the cause.

Casualties (15)

July 31, 1992

Gyangphedi (ENR)

BKK/VTBD - KTM/VNKT

Thai Airways Flight 311 experienced a flap fault while conducting an approach to Tribhuvan International Airport in instrument weather conditions. The crew requested clearance back to Calcutta, but later decided to attempt the approach again and requested a left turn back to a fix called Romeo. After further communication with the control tower, the crew initiated a right turn and climb, and then completed a 360-degree turn before proceeding towards the north. The crew reported having technical problems and requested to proceed to Romeo to start the approach again. They experienced difficulties with inserting navigational information into the Flight Management System. The flight continued towards the north before altering its heading to the left. However, shortly after, the Ground Proximity Warning System sounded, and the aircraft crashed into a mountain peak.

Casualties (113)

September 28, 1992

Bhattedanda (APR)

KHI/OPKC - KTM/VNKT

PIA Flight 268 departed Karachi, Pakistan at 11:13 for a scheduled passenger flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. The en route portion of the flight was uneventful and the aircraft was cleared for a Sierra approach to Kathmandu's runway 02. The flight was instructed to maintain 11500 feet and report at 16 DME (16 miles from the VOR/DME beacon, which is located 0,6 nm short of the runway). The Kathmandu approach is very difficult, since the airport is located in an oval-shaped valley surrounded by mountains as high as 9665 feet. Runway elevation is 4313 feet amsl. The next approach fixes for PK268 were at 13 DME (at 10500 feet), 10 DME (at 9500 feet) and 8 DME (at 8200 feet). A few seconds after reporting 10 DME, the aircraft descended through 8200 feet, which was the altitude for 8 DME. The Airbus impacted a steep cloud-covered hillside at approx. 7300 feet amsl at 9,16 DME.

Casualties (167)

July 31, 1993

Solighopte (APR)

KTM/VNKT - BHR/VNBP

The Do-228 plane flew into the side of a mountain while on approach to Bharatpur Airport (BHR).

Casualties (18)

January 14, 1995

Kathmandu Airport (TOF)

KTM/VNKT - RUM/VNRT

At 13:59 LT flight RA133 to Rumjatar took off from Kathmandu's RWY 20. After 1250 m of runway and 250 m clearway, the Twin Otter still hadn't become airborne. After striking the airfield perimeter fence, the aircraft plunged into some fields.

Casualties (2)

August 21, 1998

ChuchcheKhark, Myagdi (ENR)

JMO/VNJS - PKR/VNPK

The Twin Otter had been leased for one year from the Air Transport Support Centre (ATSC, of the Nepalese CAA). The plane took off from Jomsom at 11:10 and was expected to arrive at Pokhara at 11:30. The airplane impacted Mount Annapurna at the 7000 ft level.

Casualties (18)

October 24, 1998

MulKhark (ENR)

LUA/VNLK - Hiri

Crashed 24.10.1999 en-route between Lukla and Hiri, Nepal, killing all 3 persons on board. Cause of accident Not Known

Casualties (3)

November 20, 1998

Phakding (ENR)

NO-DATA - NO-DATA

Crashed in poor weather

Casualties (1)

January 18, 1999

Jumla (TOF)

JUM/VNJL - KEP/VNNG

The aircraft climbed steeply to 450 feet (140 m) after takeoff. The Caravan then stalled, crashed in a left wing low attitude and caught fire. The fire could not be extinguished because the fire fighting equipment was not available at the site. The mobile extinguisher that was present in Jumla Tower was still in packed condition.

Casualties (5)

July 7, 1999

Bhasmasur Hill, Kathmandu (ENR)

KTM/VNKT - DEL/VIDP

Lufthansa Cargo Flight 8533, a Boeing 727, departed runway 20 at Kathmandu, Nepal for a flight to Delhi, India. While climbing after takeoff, the aircraft proceeded across the 4 DME arc prior to commencing a shallow right turn. As the aircraft was in a 10-degree right bank turn at approximately 4.4 DME crossing the Kathmandu VOR/DME on the 247 degree radial, the GPWS warning sounded. The stick shaker activated 11 seconds after the initial GPWS warning as the speed dropped below 171 knots. The aircraft impacted terrain in the Champadevi hills at the 7550 feet level, 6 NM south west of Kathmandu VOR/DME. The plane was carrying about 21 tons of cargo, mostly woolen carpet, when it crashed. Weather at the time was drizzly conditions with ground temperature of 22°C.

Casualties (5)

September 5, 1999

Thankot, Kathmandu (APR)

PKR/VNPK - KTM/VNKT

Flight 128 departed Pokhara at 10:00 for a 35-minute domestic flight to Kathmandu. At 15 km west of Kathmandu, while approaching Tribhuvan Airport runway 02, the aircraft collided with a communication tower of Nepal Telecommunication Corporation and crashed in a wooded area.

Casualties (15)

December 25, 1999

Burjo Lake,Makwanpur (ENR)

SIF/VNSI - KTM/VNKT

The Twin Otter departed Simra at 14:57 for a half hour flight to Kathmandu. The aircraft crashed 5 minutes after takeoff.

Casualties (10)

February 26, 2000

Jomoson (LDG)

PKR/VNPK - JMO/VNJS

A DHC-6 Twin Otter passenger plane sustained substantial damage in a landing accident at Jomsom Airport (JMO), Nepal. Two crew members and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane departed Pokhara Airport (PKR) at 08:10 on a domestic flight to Jomsom. While descending towards the destination airport, the Jomsom controller reported that there was a south-westerly 8-12 knot wind with runway 24 in use. During the approach the pilot in command took over the communication function of the copilot and contacted Jomsom Tower, requesting to use runway 06 instead of runway 24, despite the advice of the tower controller to use runway 24 to avoid tail wind effect in runway 06. The tailwind component, exceeded the five knot tailwind limit stipulated in the company’s standard operating procedure. The airplane touched down 776 feet past the threshold of the 2,424-foot-long runway 06. It covered a distance of 194 feet on the airstrip and veered towards the grassland. During the landing roll, when the aircraft was decelerating, the co-pilot had raised the flaps as per the existing practice of carrying out the after the landing checks." The pilot in command added power to re-enter the runway. After running 705 feet on the grassland the airplane entered the runway again. Without making his intentions clear to the copilot, the pilot in command continued adding power for go around. The accelerating aircraft gained insufficient speed and lift to take off and ran out of the runway 24 end, continued towards the river, hit the barbed fence and gabion wall with an initial impact and finally fell down onto the banks of Kaligandaki River.

Casualties (1)

July 27, 2000

Jogbuda, Dadeldhura (ENR)

BJH/VNBG - DHI/VNDH

The aircraft departed Bajhang at 10:11 for a 30-minute flight to Dhangadhi. Last radio contact was at 10:31. The aircraft was found to have collided with pine trees on the 4300 feet Jarayakhali hill on the Churia mountain range, also known as Sivalik Hills, before catching fire.

Casualties (25)

November 12, 2001

Rara Lake, Mugu (ENR)

Gamgadi - Surkhet

The helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances. Four occupants died, including a member of the Nepalese Royal Family.

Casualties (4)

May 31, 2002

Sholumkhumbu* (ENR)

Makalu Base Camp - Lukla

Crashed on a mountain. The helicopter was never found. All occupants are presumed to have died.

Casualties (11)

July 17, 2002

Gadgade Danda, Surkhet (ENR)

JUM/VNJL - SKH/VNSK

The Twin Otter departed Jumla at 14:04 for a 25-minute flight to Surkhet. Some 18 minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of about 6500 feet, the aircraft crashed into trees and crashed against the Gargare Danda hill in bad weather.

Casualties (4)

August 22, 2002

Pokhara (APR)

JMO/VNJS - PKR/VNPK

The Twin Otter departed Jomsom at 09:41 for a 25-minute flight to Pokhara, carrying 15 tourists. The aircraft crashed against a hill which was under complete cloud cover following 3 days of continuous rains. Almost exactly four years ago (August 21, 1998) another Twin Otter crashed on the same route, also killing all 18 occupants.

Casualties (18)

May 28, 2003

Everest Base Camp (LDG)

NO-DATA - Everest Base Camp

Crashed while approaching to land at Mount Everest Base Camp to take a team of climbers back to Kathmandu. Elevation of the crash site is approx. 17,400 feet.

Casualties (2)

April 21, 2004

TIA (APR)

KTM/VNKT - KTM/VNKT

A Beechcraft 1900D passenger plane, operated by Buddha Air, struck terrain while on approach to Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), Nepal. There were total of 16 tourists and 3 crew members on board. All were killed. The weather was overcast with very low clouds on the approach. Flights were operating normally under VFR rules at the time of the accident. The Beech 1900 was on the base leg of the approach following an 'Everest Experience' sightseeing flight. The accident location was a hill side near Kotdanda, approx. 5,5 km (3 NM) short of the runway 02 threshold and 5 km (2,7 NM) to the east of the extended centreline.

Casualties (1)

May 25, 2004

Lamjura, Solukhumbu (APR)

KTM/VNKT - LUA/VNLK

Crashed into the Lamjura hill while on approach to Lukla. At that the time of the crash there was heavy cloud buildup over the 3,600 m Lamjura Pass which planes have to cross to get into Lukla. The Nepalese accident investigation committee concluded that the captain provided false information to the Area Control Centre by declaring that he was proceeding south of the track while proceeding along the direct track all the time.

Casualties (3)

June 12, 2006

Jumla Airport (APR)

SKH/VNSK - JUM/VNJL

Servicing remote airports in Nepal, the Yeti Airlines Twin Otter departed Nepalganj (KEP) for a flight to Jumla (JUM) via Surkhet (SKH). The flight took off from Surket at 11:35 with 6 passengers, 941 kg of cargo including food grains and three crew members on board. It instantly caught fire.

Casualties (9)

September 23, 2006

Ghunsa, Taplejung (ENR)

Ghunsa - Taplejung

Crashed due to bad weather and human error. Chartered from WWF. Dr Harka Bahadur Gurung (67) killed.

Casualties (24)

October 8, 2008

Lukla Airport (LDG)

KTM/VNKT - LUA/VNLK

The aircraft took off from Kathmandu Airport at 06:51 on a domestic flight to Lukla (LUA). Lukla Airport has a single runway, 06/24 which is situated at an elevation of 9380 feet. The 1600 feet long bitumen runway has an upslope of 11,75°. Runway 06 can only be used for landing. Visibility was reported as poor as the Twin Otter came in to land. It contacted rocks near the runway, crashed and caught fire. The captain was the only survivor.

Casualties (18)

August 24, 2010

Sikharpur, Makawanpur (APR)

KTM/VNKT - LUA/VNLK

A Dornier Do 228-101 passenger plane, 9N-AHE, was destroyed when it crashed hillside near Bastipur, Nepal. All fourteen on board were killed. Agni Air flight 101 departed at 07:04 on a domestic flight from Kathmandu (KTM) to Lukla (LUA), Nepal. At 07:18, the flight crew received reports that clouds were closing in on Lukla. It was decided to return to Kathmandu. Two minutes later AG-101 acknowledged instructions to maintain an altitude of 12,000 ft and follow a 20-mile arc to the south to make an instrument approach to Kathmandu. Shortly afterwards the captain indicated a generator malfunction but did not declare an emergency. He was in contact with a company flight on the ground at Kathmandu and reported trying to switch to the backup generator. This did not work and he then tried to 'recycle' the battery pack. A diversion to Simara Airport (VNSI) was impossible because that airport was closed because of bad weather. The pilot attempted to fly a visual approach to Kathmandu runway 02. Last radar contact was at 07:25. The crash site is located at a hillside near Bastipur (Shikharpur VDC, Narayani Zone of Makwanpur District), about 18nm south-south-west of Kathmandu and at an altitude of 9,000 ft.

Casualties (14)

November 7, 2010

Amadablam Mountain (ENR)

LUA/VNLK - Mount Ama Dablam, Solukhumbu, Nepal

A helicopter belonging to Fishtail Air has crashed near the base-camp of Mount Ama Dablam in Solukhumbu Sunday morning (Nov 7 2010). Two crewmembers, Captain Sabin Basnet and Engineer Purna Awale, have been killed in the crash. Basnet and Awale were the only two persons flying in the aircraft. The aircraft had flown to Mount Ama Dablam to rescue two mountaineers (1 japanese, 1 german) stranded in the mountain due to adverse health condition. THe helicopter had flown to Lukla from Kathmandu at about 8.00 am with some passengers onboard. It had flown further to Mount Ama Dablam after dropping the passengers at Lukla airport. It had lost contact shortly after taking off from Lukla airport. After the crash occurred, Fishtail Air deployed another AS350B3 helicopter (Call Sign: 9N-AJI) to continue the rescue mission. In the early hours of 8th November 2010, Captain Ashish Sherchan & Captain Siddhartha Jung Gurung conducted the rescue mission and rescued Japanese Climber Mr. Kazuya Hiraide. They also dropped a team of mountain guides at the crash site. The team recovered the dead bodies of the deceased which were flown back to Kathmandu on two helicopters of Fishtail Air.

Casualties (2)

December 15, 2010

Okhaldhunga (ENR)

LDN/VNLD - KTM/VNKT

A DHC-6 Twin Otter, registered 9N-AFX, crashed into Palunge Hill during a domestic flight from Lamidanda Airport (LDN) to Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM). The airplane departed at 15:08 carrying three crew and 19 passengers.

Casualties (22)

September 25, 2011

Kotdanda, Lalitapur (APR)

KTM/VNKT - KTM/VNKT

A Beechcraft 1900D passenger plane, operated by Buddha Air, struck terrain while on approach to Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), Nepal. There were total of 16 tourists and 3 crew members on board. All were killed. The weather was overcast with very low clouds on the approach. Flights were operating normally under VFR rules at the time of the accident. The Beech 1900 was on the base leg of the approach following an 'Everest Experience' sightseeing flight. The accident location was a hill side near Kotdanda, approx. 5,5 km (3 NM) short of the runway 02 threshold and 5 km (2,7 NM) to the east of the extended centreline.

Casualties (19)

May 14, 2012

Jomsom Airport (APR)

PKR/VNPK - JMO/VNJS

A Dornier Do 228 passenger plane, 9N-AIG, was destroyed when it struck the side of a mountain during near Jomsom, Nepal. Thirteen passengers and two pilots were killed. The flight attendant and five passengers survived the accident. The flight had departed Pokhara (PKR) on a domestic passenger flight to Jomsom (JMO). According to the head of Nepal's national rescue department, the pilot told air traffic control moments before the crash that he was diverting back to Pokhara. The airplane crashed into the side of a hill near Marpha village.

Casualties (15)

September 28, 2012

Manohara, Bhaktapur (ICL)

KTM/VNKT - LUA/VNLK

Dornier 228-202 passenger plane, operated by Sita Air, was destroyed when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), Nepal. All 19 on board were killed.

Casualties (19)

February 16, 2014

Masinelek,Arghakhanchi (ENR)

PKR/VNPK - JUM/VNJL

A de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter operated by Nepal Airlines was destroyed when it impacted a mountainside near Sandhikhark, Nepal. All 18 on board sustained fatal injuries. Flight RA183 was a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Jumla with a refueling stop at Pokhara. The airplane took off from Pokhara at 12:43. Upon leaving Pokhara Control Zone, the pilot in command realized that the direct track was not possible due weather and decided to proceed via a more southern track. During the flight the pilots were experiencing uncomfortable flying environment due to unfavorable weather conditions. Attempting to avoid the weather, the pilots had to fly up and down and changing the heading. Finally being unable to penetrate the weather ahead, the captain decided to divert to Bhairahawa, the nearest airport. However, the captain did not take into consideration the surrounding terrain and continued descent turning right. The aircraft initially slashed a small tree and finally impacted a ridge. Due to the heavy impact the left wing was first disintegrated and then the front part of the aircraft toppled over beyond the ridge with several subsequent impacts. The cockpit voice recorder showed that the copilot had warned the captain not to descend or turn. The wreckage was located the following morning at an altitude of 7190 feet (2192 m). There were no surivors.

Casualties (18)

August 3, 2014

Sindhupalchok (LDG)

NO-DATA - Listi VDC-5, Sindhupalchowk

Upon landing, a man was struck by the rotor blade of the helicopter and died. The pilot of the helicopter was arrested.

Casualties (1)

June 2, 2015

Yamuna Danda, Sindhupalchok (ENR)

Tembathang - Kathmandu

The helicopter crashed while carrying out relief operations. Wire strike following distraction by passenger. Fatigue a factor. A post-crash fire consumed the wreckage.

Casualties (4)

February 24, 2016

Dana, Myagdi (ENR)

PKR/VNPK - JMO/VNJS

A Viking Air DHC-6 Twin Otter 400, operating Tara Air flight 193, was destroyed in an accident in the Myagdi district, Nepal. All 23 on board suffered fatal injuries. The aircraft departed at 07:50 hours local time from Pokhara Airport (PKR) on a domestic 20-minute flight to Jomsom Airport (JMO), Nepal. The copilot acted as Pilot Flying, the captain as Pilot Monitoring during the flight. En route the flight deviated to the left and climbed to 12000 feet to avoid clouds. Over the Ghorepani area the GPWS began to sound. The aircraft was flying through clouds with a little visibility in between and a descent to 10000 feet was initiated. At 10200 feet the GPWS sounded again but the captain responded not to worry about it. The captain was used to hearing these warnings in normal flight, so it became a habit to disregard the warnings. About one minute before the accident the captain took over control and initiated a climb. The aircraft impacted a mountainside at 10700 feet, coming to rest at an elevation of 10982 feet. According to a statement by the airline, the aircraft crashed near Tirkhe Dungha, Dana VDC of Myagdi district.

Casualties (23)

February 26, 2016

Chilkhaya Kalikot (ENR)

KEP/VNNG - JUM/VNJL

An aircraft operted by Air Kasthamandap is reported to have crashed in Kalikot district, Nepal. There were nine passengers and two pilots on board. Both pilots are feared dead, according to a Banke’s Nepal Police spokesman.

Casualties (2)

August 8, 2016

Betani, Nuwakot (ENR)

Gorkha - Kathmandu

The helicopter crashed in mountainous jungle at 5500ft AMSL.All seven on board (a 5 day old baby being taken for treatment, five adults and pilot) died.

Casualties (7)

May 27, 2017

Lukla Airport (APR)

KTM/VNKT - LUA/VNLK

A Let L-410UVP-E20 operated by Summit Air (formerly known as Goma Air) was destroyed in an accident when it attempted to land on runway 06 at Lukla-Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal. The aircraft operated on a cargo charter flight with 1680 kg cargo on board. It took off from Kathmandu at 07:44 UTC at flight 409, bound for Lukla. It was the 5th flight of the aircraft to Lukla and with the same set of crew. Lukla weather was cloudy, but visibility and ceiling was reported to be fine after an hour of heavy rain. On first contact flight 409 reported abeam Rumjatar descending out of 11300 ft at 08:10 UTC. Lukla Tower provided the latest weather at the airport, as well as enroute weather relayed by 9N-AGU, an AS350 helicopter that had departed Lukla for Kathmandu. Almost 4 minutes after the first contact, Tower informed flight 409 about the deteriorating weather. The right base leg was covered by lifting fog though there was no rain and the final approach area was still visible. Weather deteriorated further and Tower regularly updated the flight crew. About 30 seconds after flight 409 reported entering valley, Lukla Tower again informed about the latest status of the further deteriorating weather. Flight 409 then informed that they would come up to Bhatkeko Daada and then decide. The pilot also informed they could see some bright spots. While continuing approach, both cockpit crew sighted the runway at 9100 ft. That was 64 seconds before the impact. While continuing approach the aircraft deviated to the right by almost 15 degrees and erroneously descended too low to 8500 ft whereas threshold height is 8900 ft (on Kathmandu QNH, whereas per AIP it is 9200 ft). The flight crew attempted to climb and reach the threshold in a landing configuration. The aircraft pitched up to over 25°, the airspeed dropped and the aircraft stalled. Subsequently its left wing first hit a small tree and then impacted the sloping terrain 130 feet short of the runway. The captain and copilot both sustained fatal injuries.

Casualties (2)

March 12, 2018

TIA (LDG)

DAC/VGHS - KTM/VNKT

US-Bangla Airlines flight 211, a DHC-8-402, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Bangladesh at 06:51 UTC on a scheduled flight to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. Prior to departure, while in radio contact with Dhaka Ground Control and the airline's Operations department, the captain shows signs that he was agitated and experiencing high levels of stress. As the aircraft was in a climb phase, the captain overheard a communication between Operations and another US-Bangla aircraft regarding the fuel onboard but the captain without verifying whether the message was meant for him or not, engaged in some unnecessary conversation with the Operations staff. The Captain's vocal pitch and language used again indicated that he was very much emotionally disturbed and experiencing high level of stress. The aircraft established its first contact with Kathmandu Control at 07:52 UTC. At 08:07 the First Officer contacted Kathmandu Control and requested descent clearance. Kathmandu Control cleared the flight to descend to FL160 with an estimated approach time of 08:26 which was acknowledged by the First Officer. At 08:10 the flight was handed over to Kathmandu Approach. At 08:11, Kathmandu Approach instructed the aircraft to descend to 13500 feet and hold over GURAS. The crew inserted the HOLD in the Flight Management System. At 08:13 Kathmandu Approach further instructed the aircraft to reduce its speed and descend to 12500 feet. Three minutes later a further descent clearance was given to 11500 feet, and the flight was cleared for a VOR approach to runway 02 maintaining minimum approach speed. Both crew members forgot to cancel the hold on the FMS as they were engaged in some unnecessary conversation. Upon reaching GURAS, the aircraft turned left to enter the holding pattern over GURAS, which was noticed by both crew members and immediately the captain made a correction. At the same time they were alerted by Approach Control. The captain immediately selected a heading of 027° which was just 5° of interception angle to intercept the desired radial of 202° inbound to KTM. The spot wind recorded was westerly at 28kt. The aircraft continued approach on heading mode and crossed radial 202° at 7 DME of KTM VOR. The aircraft then continued on the same heading of 027° and deviated to the right of the final approach course. Having deviated to the right of the final approach path, the aircraft reached about 2-3 NM North east of the KTM VOR and continued to fly further northeast. At 08:27, Kathmandu Tower (TWR) alerted the crew that the landing clearance was given for runway 02 but the aircraft was proceeding towards runway 20. At 08:29, Tower Controller asked the crew of their intention to which the captain replied that they would be landing on runway 02. The aircraft then made an orbit to the right. The Controller instructed the aircraft to join downwind for runway 02 and report when sighting another Buddha Air aircraft which was already on final for runway 02. The aircraft instead of joining downwind leg for runway 02, continued on the orbit to the right on a westerly heading towards Northwest of runway 20. The controller instructed the aircraft to remain clear of runway 20 and continue to hold at the present position as the Buddha Air aircraft was landing on runway 02 (from the opposite side) at that time. After the landing of the Buddha Air aircraft, the Tower Controller, at 08:32 UTC gave a choice to BS211 to land either on runway 20 or 02 but the aircraft again made an orbit to the right, this time northwest of runway 20. While continuing with the turn through a southeastern direction, the captain reported that he had the runway in sight and requested tower for clearance to land. The Tower Controller cleared the aircraft to land but when the aircraft was still turning for the runway it approached very close to the threshold of runway 20 on a westerly heading and not aligned with the runway. At 08:33:27 UTC, spotting the aircraft maneuvering at very close proximity to the ground and not aligned with the runway, the Tower Controller hurriedly cancelled the landing clearance of the aircraft by saying, "Takeoff clearance cancelled". Within the next 15-20 seconds, the aircraft pulled up in westerly direction and with very high bank angle turned left and flew over the western area of the domestic apron, continued on a southeasterly heading past the ATC Tower and further continued at a very low height, flew over the domestic southern apron area and finally attempted to align with the runway 20 to land. During this process, while the aircraft was turning inwards and momentarily headed towards the control tower, the tower controllers ducked down out of fear that the aircraft might hit the tower building. Missing the control tower, when the aircraft further turned towards the taxi track aiming for the runway through a right reversal turn, the tower controller made a transmission by saying, "BS 211, I say again...". At 08:34 UTC the aircraft touched down 1700 meters down the threshold with a bank angle of about 15 degrees and an angle of about 25 degrees with the runway axis (approximately heading Southeast) and to the left of the center line of runway 20, then veered southeast out of the runway through the inner perimeter fence along the rough down slope and finally stopped about 442 meters southeast from the first touchdown point on the runway. All four crew members (2 cockpit crew and 2 cabin crew) and 45 out of the 67 passengers onboard the aircraft were killed in the accident. Two more passengers succumbed to injury later in hospital during course of treatment. The aircraft caught fire after 6 seconds of touchdown which engulfed major portions of the aircraft. An investigation into the captain's behaviour showed that he had history of depression while serving in the Bangladesh Air Force in 1993 and was removed from active duty after evaluation by a psychiatrist. He was re-evaluated by a psychiatrist in January 2002 and was declared to be fit for flying. Examinations in successive annual medical checks were not focused on his previous medical condition of depression, possibly because this was not declared in the self-declaration form for annual medicals. During the flight the captain was irritable, tensed, moody, and aggressive at various times. He was smoking during the flight, contrary to company regulations. He also used foul language and abusive words in conversation with the junior female first officer. He was engaged in unnecessary conversation during the approach, at a time when sterile cockpit rules were in force. The captain seemed very unsecure about his future as he had submitted resignation from this company, though only verbally. He said he did not have any job and did not know what he was going to do for living.

Casualties (51)

May 16, 2018

Simikot Pass (ENR)

SKH/VNSK - IMK/VNST

A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, operated by Makalu Air, impacted a mountainside at an altitude of 12,800 feet near Simikot, Nepal. Both crew members suffered fatal injuries. The aircraft took off from Surkhet at 06:12 hours local time on a domestic cargo flight to Simikot, where it was scheduled arrive at 06:55. En route the flight crew received pilot reports from two other flights heading into Simikot. High clouds were reported and the pilot of a Dornier advised the crew to descend below the clouds. The Cessna was left of the planned and continued at the same altitude, entering instrument conditions. The aircraft should have made an immediate right turn for appreciable time and then initiate left turn to follow Karnali River until reaching the base for runway 28 at Simikot, but continued straight ahead. The aircraft crossed Simikot Pass west of the normal crossing point and continued until it impacted a ridge at an altitude of 12800 feet, 7,7 nm (14,2 km) southeast of Simikot Airport.

Casualties (2)

April 14, 2019

Lukla Airport (TOF)

LUA/VNLK - RHP/VNRC

A Summit Air Let L-410UVP-E20 Turbolet impacted a Manang Air Eurocopter AS 350B3e helicopter (9N-ALC) during a takeoff attempt at Lukla-Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Nepal. The aircraft and helicopter were destroyed. One helicopter (Shree Airlines Eurocopter AS 350, 9N-ALK) sustained minor damage. The copilot of the Summit Air plane sustained fatal injuries. Two persons on the ground at the helipad also died in the accident. The L-410 was repositioning to Ramechhap after flying passengers and cargo to Lukla. The captain taxied the aircraft to threshold of runway 24 and handed over control to the co-pilot. Within 3 seconds of the takeoff roll the aircraft veered to the right and exited the runway, travelling about 43 ft across the grassy part on right side of runway 24, before striking the airport inner perimeter fence. It then continued to skid for about 43 ft, and hit two persons before it crashed into the upper helipad. It struck the turning rotor blades of 9N-ALC. The moving rotors cut through the cockpit and the helicopter toppled onto the lower helipad 6 ft below. The left-hand wing of the aircraft broke the skid of another helicopter, 9N-ALK, and came to a halt with 9N-ALC beneath its right-hand main wheel assembly Lukla Airport is located on a mountain at an elevation of 9334 feet (2845 m). The runway is 1729 ft long (527 m) with an 11.7% gradient. Takeoffs must be performed from the downsloping runway 24. The helipad is located to the right of the runway, about 100 meters past the threshold. Probable Cause: Probable Cause The commission concluded that the probable cause of the accident was aircraft's veering towards right during initial take-off roll as a result of asymmetric power due to abrupt shifting of right power lever rearwards and failure to abort the takeoff by crew. There were not enough evidences to determine the exact reason for abrupt shifting of the power lever. Contributing Factors 1. Failure of the PF(being a less experienced co-pilot) to immediately assess and act upon the abrupt shifting of the right power lever resulted in aircraft veering to the right causing certain time lapse for PIC to take controls in order to initiate correction. 2. PIC's attempted corrections of adding power could not correct the veering. Subsequently, application of brakes resulted in asymmetric braking due to the position of the pedals, and further contributed veering towards right.

Casualties (3)

May 29, 2022

Titi, Ghasa Area,Mustang (ENR)

PKR/VNPK - JMO/VNJS

Tara Air flight 197, a DHC-6 Twin Otter 300, impacted a mountainside at 14500 feet while on a domestic flight from Pokhara to Jomsom, Nepal. All 22 occupants suffered fatal injuries. The flight was the first of five daily Tara Air flights from Pokhara to Jomsom, scheduled to depart at 06:15 hours. The flight was delayed because the Lete Pass on the route was covered up with clouds. The Twin Otter finally departed at 09:55, after two aircraft of Summit Air had departed for Jomsom. The flight took off from runway 04 and made a left-hand turn to follow the valley/pass on a heading of about 300�. About 10:06 the flight turned to the north towards Jomsom until it struck the side of a mountain.

Casualties (22)

January 15, 2023

Pokhara (APR)

KTM/VNKT - VNPR

Yeti Airlines flight 691, an ATR 72-500, crashed while on final approach to runway 12 at Pokhara International Airport, Nepal. The aircraft crashed on the bank of Seti River between the old airport and the new airport and burst into flames. Local media report that 69 bodies had been recovered by January 16. Local media report that the aircraft was initially preparing for an approach to runway 30, but the pilot later requested an approach to runway 12. The Pokhara International Airport was opened on January 1, 2023 and is located to the east-southeast of the old Pokhara Airport. All previous flights of YT691 at the new Pokhara International Airport landed on runway 30. At least one other ATR 72 from Kathmandu made an approach to land on runway 12 (flight YT677 on January 12), which flew to the north of the airport before turning left on base and final for runway 12 in the vicinity of POK VOR.

Casualties (72)