Country
code

Lumbini

Crash of a BAe 4101 Jetstream 41 in Siddharthanagar

Date & Time: Sep 24, 2016 at 1656 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9N-AIB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kathmandu – Siddharthanagar
MSN:
41017
YOM:
1993
Flight number:
YT893
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Siddharthanagar-Gautam Buddha Airport was completed in good weather conditions with a wind from the southeast at 4 knots and a 8 km visibility. After touchdown on runway 28, the twin engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in bushes, some 110 metres past the runway end. All 32 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 near Dihidanda: 18 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 2014 at 1330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
9N-ABB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Pokhara – Jumla
MSN:
302
YOM:
1971
Flight number:
RNA183
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Captain / Total flying hours:
8373
Captain / Total hours on type:
8131.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
365
Aircraft flight hours:
43947
Aircraft flight cycles:
74217
Circumstances:
On 16 February 2014, the Twin Otter (DHC6/300) aircraft with registration number 9N-ABB, owned and operated by Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), departed Kathmandu at 0610 UTC (1155 LT) on its schedule flight to Jumla carrying 18 persons on board including 3 crews. Detailed sectors to be covered by the flight No. RA 183/718 was Kathmandu–Pokhara–Jumla-Nepālganj (Night stop). Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara completed in normal condition. After 17 minutes on ground at Pokhara airport and refueling 9N-ABB departed Pokhara at 0658 for Jumla. After Jumla flight, the aircraft was scheduled to Night stop at Nepālganj. Next day it was to do a series of shuttle flights from Nepālganj. Prevailing westerly weather had a severe impact on most of the domestic flights since last two days. A.M.E. of Engineering Department of NAC who had performed D.I. of 9N ABB had mentioned in his written report to the Commission that he had reminded the diversion of Bhojpur flight of NAC due weather and asked the Captain whether he had weather briefing of the Western Nepal or not. In response to the AME's query the Captain had replied casually that- "weather is moving from west to east and now west is improving". Pilots behavior was reported normal by the ground staffs of Kathmandu and Pokhara airports prior to the commencement of flight on that day. All the pre and post departure procedure of the flight were completed in normal manner. Before departure to Jumla from Pokhara, Pilots obtained Jumla and Bhairahawa weather and seems to be encouraged with VFR Weather at both stations. However, they were unable to make proper assessment of en route weather. PIC decided to remain south of track to avoid the terrain and weather. CVR read out revealed that pilots were aware and concerned about the icing conditions due to low outside air temperature. After around 25 minutes, probably maneuvering to avoid weather, the PIC instructed the co-pilot to plan a route further south of their position, to fly through the Dang valley. The copilot selected Dang in the GPS, on a bearing of 283°, and determined the required altitude was 8500ft. He then raised concerns that the aircraft may not have enough fuel to reach the planned destination. Approximately two and a half minutes before the accident, the PIC initiated a descent, and the copilot advised against this. As per CVR read out, last heading recorded by copilot, approximately one minute before the crash, was 280. The last one minute was a very critical phase of the flight during which PIC said I am entering (perhaps inside the cloud). At that time copilot called Bhairahawa Tower on his own and got latest Bhairahawa weather. While copilot was transmitting its last position report to Bhairahawa Control Tower (approximately 25 miles from Bhairahawa), PIC interrupted and declared to divert Bhairahawa. Bhairahawa Control Tower wanted the pilots to confirm their present position. But crews were very much occupied and copilot said STANDBY. Just few seconds before crash copilot had told PIC not to descend. Copilot also suggested PIC in two occasions - sir don't turn. Very unfortunately aircraft was crashed. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot-in-command lost situation awareness while cruising in IMC.
The following factors were considered as contributory:
- Deteriorated weather associated with western disturbance, unstable in nature and embedded CB,
- Inappropriate and insufficient crew coordination while changing course of action.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Bairahawa: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1960
Operator:
Registration:
9N-AAD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bairahawa – Kathmandu
MSN:
19792
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bairahawa Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All four crew members were killed.