Nepal has a history of accidents due to inaccurate weather forecasts, especially in remote areas. There have been various accidents and a recent one happened on Tuesday. A helicopter crashed resulting in the death of 6 people — 5 Mexican tourists and 1 Nepali pilot. And Nepal’s aviation authority has decided to ban any non-essential flights by helicopter!
6 Killed In A Deadly Helicopter Crash In Nepal!
Manang Air 9N-AMV (AS50) crash update: All 6 dead bodies have been air-lifted to T.U. Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu for post-mortem.
प्रेस विज्ञप्ति – ४ pic.twitter.com/GlczOii1TQ
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) July 11, 2023
Shortly after takeoff on Tuesday in the Everest region, a tourist helicopter carrying six people in Nepal crashed, killing all six persons on board. Five members of the same Mexican family and a Nepali pilot were travelling on a Manang Air flight that was bound for Kathmandu from a location close to Lukla. It serves as the starting point for climbing excursions to the highest peak in the world.
On Tuesday morning, the helicopter lost touch eight minutes after takeoff, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). According to an NDTV report, six bodies were recovered and brought to Kathmandu.
Despite being sent out for search and rescue, two helicopters were unable to land at the crash scene due to weather.
Also Read: Is Nepal A Safe Country To Fly To? This 11th Plane Crash Raises Questions About It
Nepal Aviation Authorities Banned Any Non-Essential Flights
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued new regulations to ensure the safety of helicopter flights. pic.twitter.com/8JLFzqbnzy
— Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (@hello_CAANepal) July 12, 2023
After a fatal crash in the Everest region, Nepal’s aviation regulator imposed a two-month ban on helicopters doing “non-essential” flights, including sightseeing trips. In a tweet, the CAAN stated that non-essential flights like mountain flights, external load operations and helicopter flower-dropping will be prohibited till September.
To determine what caused Tuesday’s disaster, Nepal, which is currently experiencing the typical June–September monsoon season, has established an inquiry committee.
In Nepal, private helicopter travel is a booming industry that transports passengers and cargo to remote areas of the Himalayan nation where there is little to no road access. However, the nation is infamous for its lax air safety standards. And Tuesday’s tragedy is just the most recent in a spate of aviation mishaps.
Air crashes have occurred in the country, which is home to eight of the world’s fourteen tallest mountain peaks. This is because many airlines fly to small airports in outlying hills and close to peaks that are frequently cloaked in clouds.
Also Read: Nepal: Helicopter With 6 Onboard That Went Missing Crashed; Wreckage And 5 Bodies Found
One person was killed and four others were hurt when a helicopter carrying supplies for a hydroelectricity project crashed in eastern Nepal in May.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Rep Img)
First Published: July 13, 2023 10:57 AM