A helicopter from Manang Air, a prominent aviation company based in Nepal, crashed on Saturday while attempting to land in a mountainous region near the Everest base camp, injuring its pilot. The helicopter, registered as 9N ANJ, had taken off from Lukla, a well-known gateway to the world’s highest peak. It was on a mission to pick up passengers in Lobuche, a location in the northeastern part of Nepal.
The incident took place when the helicopter was making its landing approach in Lobuche. It slightly overturned and subsequently caught fire, causing concern for the pilot’s safety. The injured pilot, identified as Prakash Sedhai, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Due to the extent of his injuries, he was promptly airlifted to Kathmandu for urgent medical treatment.
As of now, the exact cause of the crash remains uncertain, and an investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. This marks the second crash involving Manang Air helicopters in recent months, raising questions about the company’s safety protocols and the challenging terrain of Nepal’s mountainous regions, where air travel is often the primary mode of transportation.
In July, another Manang Air helicopter was involved in a fatal crash in the Lamjura region of Solukhumbu district. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals, including Captain Chet Bahadur Gurung and five Mexican nationals. The helicopter had lost contact and went off the radar on the morning of July 11. It was later discovered crashed at Chihandanda in Lamjura, a location between Jiri and Phaplu.
Manang Air is an aviation company that has been operating in Nepal since 1997. It is known for its helicopter services, which include commercial air transportation within the country’s borders, personalized charter services, adventure flights, helicopter excursions, and support for various expeditions. However, safety concerns surrounding these incidents are prompting a closer look at the company’s operations and the overall safety of helicopter travel in Nepal’s challenging geographic landscape.
The ongoing investigation into this recent crash is of significant importance to ascertain the cause and prevent future incidents that may compromise the safety of passengers and flight crews navigating Nepal’s mountainous terrain.
