Country
code

Bagmati

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter in Kathmandu: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1975 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
9N-AAZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kathmandu - Phaplu
MSN:
727
YOM:
1971
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu Airport, while in initial climb, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a cornfield. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all five occupants were killed, among them Louise Hillary and Belinda Hillary aged 16, spouse and daughter of the Alpinist Edmund Hillary.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot failed to realize that a ground lock pin on one of the ailerons was still in place and not remove prior to departure.

Crash of a Douglas DC-8-33 in Kathmandu: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HS-TGU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bangkok - Kathmandu
MSN:
45526/89
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
100
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport, the four engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and one engine before coming to rest in a dump. Onee people on the ground was killed and four passengers were injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the pilot-in-command who landed too far down the runway, causing the braking distance to be insufficient.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-45-DL in Dulikhel: 31 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1972 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
9N-RF10
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Panchkhal - Katmandu
MSN:
9950
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Panchkhal Army Reserve, the crew encountered limited visibility. While cruising at low height, the airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed in a field located in Dulikhel, about 20 km southeast of Katmandu-Tribhuvan Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 31 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6 Porter in Katmandu

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
HB-FAX
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
344
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
201
Circumstances:
On short final in strong crosswinds, the airplane stalled and crashed within the runway threshold. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the fuel selector was positioned to the lower tank, which prevented the fuel to reach the engine because of the position of the aircraft on final approach.

Special thanks to Claude Rouge who shared the photos and personnel logbook from his father Frédy Rouge who was in charge of HB-FAX at that time.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL near Kathmandu: 20 killed

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1958
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CYN
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Shimla-Katmandou
MSN:
19988
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The crew started the descent to Kathmandu in poor weather conditions when the airplane crashed on a mountainous area located about 20 km from the airport. Following a navigational error on part of the pilots, the airplane followed a wrong approach path to Kathmandu Airport and went into the wrong valley. At the last moment, the pilot-in-command made a sharp turn to avoid the mountain but the aircraft stalled due to an insufficient speed and crashed on a rocky slope. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 20 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
Navigation error on part of the flying crew. Lack of visibility caused by poor weather conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK in Kathmandu: 15 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1956
Operator:
Registration:
VT-DBA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shimla – Kathmandu
MSN:
13165
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The landing at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan was completed at an excessive speed. On touchdown, the aircraft bounced several times before landing firmly. After few dozen yards, the pilot-in-command added power in an attempt to go around when the airplane overran and crashed into a ravine. Nineteen occupants were injured while 14 others plus one person on the ground were killed.