Nepal, known for its picturesque landscapes that lure tourists, has a tragic history of aviation accidents. The country’s air transport sector has been plagued by multiple crashes, leading to a somber reality where the beauty of the Himalayas often comes with a dangerous price. On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, another plane crash occurred, adding to the grim statistics. A Saurya Airlines aircraft carrying 19 people, including two crew members, crashed during takeoff from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, claiming 18 lives. The aircraft was en route to Pokhara to get its broken engine repaired. Only the pilot survived.
This latest incident highlights a concerning trend. Since 2000, Nepal has witnessed at least 19 air crashes, claiming the lives of over 360 people. One of the most devastating crashes occurred on January 15, 2023, when a Yeti Airlines twin-engine ATR 72-500 aircraft crashed in Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board. This incident marked Nepal’s worst aviation disaster since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane crashed into a hill during landing in Kathmandu, killing all 167 passengers and crew members.
Several factors contribute to Nepal’s high rate of aviation accidents. The country’s topography plays a significant role. Nestled between India and China, Nepal boasts eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including Mount Everest. This rugged terrain, while a draw for trekkers, poses significant challenges for airplanes. Airports are often built in mountainous regions, necessitating shorter runways. The take-off and landing procedures are particularly risky, requiring flights to operate at high altitudes, where the low air density decreases aircraft performance.
In addition to the challenging terrain, Nepal experiences unpredictable weather patterns, which often result in sudden changes in visibility. These conditions pose serious hurdles for pilots, particularly as many of the smaller aircraft used in the region are not equipped with the latest technology to detect these changes. Concerns have been raised about the aging fleet of airplanes used for domestic flights in Nepal. Many of these aircraft lack essential modern devices, such as radar and GPS technology, which can help mitigate visibility and weather-related problems.
The Yeti Airlines plane that crashed in January 2023, for instance, was 15 years old. Nepal’s aviation safety record has come under intense scrutiny. Despite being a member of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) since 1960, Nepal’s aviation industry has been unable to meet the safety standards of other civil aviation authorities. As a result, Nepali airlines have been banned from operating in the European Union’s airspace since 2013. Nepal remains on the EU Air Safety list, a testament to the ongoing concerns about its aviation safety standards.
The following is a timeline of notable plane and helicopter crashes in Nepal since 2000:
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July 24, 2024:
At least 18 people were killed when a Bombardier CRJ 200 plane crashed and caught fire while taking off from Kathmandu.*
July 11, 2023:
Six people were killed in a helicopter crash in central Nepal. The helicopter, which departed from Solukhunvhu district, was carrying five Mexican nationals and one Nepali pilot.*
January 15, 2023:
A twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft carrying 72 people, operated by Nepal’s Yeti Airlines, crashed in Pokhara, killing all on board.*
May 29, 2022:
Sixteen Nepalis, four Indians and two Germans died on a De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft that crashed within 15 minutes after take off from Pokhara.*
February 27, 2019:
All seven people, including the country’s tourism minister, on board a helicopter died after it crashed in bad weather in eastern Nepal.*
March 12, 2018:
Fifty-one of 71 people on a Bangladeshi airliner operated by US-Bangla Airlines died when it crashed in cloudy weather as it came in to land at the Kathmandu airport.*
February 26, 2016:
Two people were feared dead after a small plane crashed in western Nepal’s Kalikot district. It was operated by Kasthamandap Airlines.*
February 24, 2016:
A small plane, with 23 people on board, crashed in bad weather, killing everyone. The Twin Otter aircraft, operated by Tara Air, was on a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom in western Nepal.*
February 16, 2014:
All 18 people on a small plane that crashed in bad weather were killed. The Twin Otter aircraft was operated by state-run Nepal Airlines Corp.*
September 28, 2012:
A small propeller-driven Dornier aircraft struck a bird and crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 19 people, including seven British and five Chinese passengers.*
September 25, 2011:
A small plane carrying foreign tourists to view Mount Everest crashed in bad weather near Kathmandu, killing all 19 people on board. The Beech aircraft was operated by private airline Buddha Air.*
December 16, 2010:
A small plane crashed in the Himalayan foothills of remote east Nepal, killing all 22 people onboard. The Twin Otter aircraft was operated by Tara Air.*
August 24, 2010:
Fourteen people – including four Americans, a Japanese and British national – were killed when their small plane crashed in bad weather in Nepal. It was operated by privately held Agni Air.*
October 8, 2008:
A small Twin Otter plane crashed in the remote mountains of northeast Nepal, killing at least 18 people, mostly foreigners.*
March 4, 2008:
Four UN arms monitors were among at least 10 people killed in a helicopter crash in Nepal.*
June 21, 2006:
A Twin Otter passenger plane operated by Yeti Airlines crashed minutes before landing in the west of the country, killing all nine people on board.*
May 25, 2004:
A Twin Otter cargo plane crashed in the Mount Everest region, killing its three crew. It was operated by Yeti Airlines.*
August 22, 2002:
Another Twin Otter plane, carrying foreign tourists, slammed into a mountain in bad weather in Nepal, killing all 18 people on board. It was operated by Shangrila Air.*
July 17, 2002:
Four people were feared dead after a twin-engined aircraft crashed into a mountain in west Nepal minutes before it was due to land.*
July 27, 2000:
A Canadian-built Twin Otter passenger plane crashed in western Nepal, killing all 25 people on board. It was operated by state-owned Royal Nepal Airlines.With inputs from agencies.
