Since the helicopter crash in Langtang in 2036 BS that killed six people, 42 helicopters have crashed in Nepal.
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An Altitude Air helicopter crashed while landing in Lobuche, Solukhumbu, on Wednesday to rescue a sick tourist. The only person on board the flight, Captain Vivek Khadka, has returned to Kathmandu safely, said Altitude Air Executive Chairman Nimanuru Sherpa.
Captain Khadka, who was on a flight from Lukla to rescue Russian tourists who were trekking in the Khumbu region with the Peak Highland Expedition Company, took off from Lukla with the Altitude Alpha Mike Serra call sign after 7:30 am to Lobuche. The accident occurred at 7:52 am while landing on the Lobuche helipad. After the accident, Captain Khadka was rescued by a Kailash Air helicopter and brought to Kathmandu via Lukla. Captain Khadka had returned home via the office in the evening after undergoing a medical examination at Hams Hospital, the Sherpa said.
It is common for tourists to fall ill and be rescued in Lukla due to bad weather. The helicopter that crashed had already made two charter flights from Lukla to Feriche and Kothe on Wednesday morning. This was Captain Khadka's third flight to Lobuche.
Captain Khadka, who contacted Kantipur after the accident, said that the helipad was covered with snow during thick snow and clouds, and that the plane lost its balance while hovering and landing. ‘It could not be raised again. It is not like a helipad on land, it is difficult in snow. How is the structure of weak or thick snow formed? That affects it. I turned off the oil as soon as the helicopter lost its balance. I also pulled the brakes. That prevented the fire and further damage. I was the only one on the plane. Nothing happened to me,’ said Captain Khadka.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has announced that it will form a committee on Thursday to conduct an internal investigation into the accident. The authority has held a meeting with the operators of all helicopter companies at the safety department of the authority in Sinamangal on Thursday.
Experts from Airbus and the airline are coming to Nepal to study whether the crashed Altitude helicopter worth nearly Rs 490 million is fit to fly after repairs. Executive Chairman Sherpa said that this will be confirmed after their technical examination at the scene. This is the first helicopter purchased during the establishment of Altitude.
Meanwhile, Altitude has stated that its suspended charter flights will be operated from Wednesday. The airline, which was established 9 years ago, now has two helicopters. Earlier, in 2075 Bhadra, an Alfa Lima Serra helicopter of the same company crashed in Dhading, killing six Nepalis including the pilot. Including the helicopter accident that occurred on Wednesday, 42 helicopter accidents have occurred in Nepal's aviation sector since 2036.
Earlier, on October 27, 2001, a Manang Air helicopter crashed in the Lobuche area, killing one person on the spot.
