Nepal Plane Crash Claims 18 Lives, Pilot Survives

The recent crash of a small aircraft near Kathmandu, Nepal has stunned the nation and left many families grieving. The crash occurred during takeoff, tragically claiming 18 lives onboard while the pilot managed to survive.

According to civil aviation minister Badri Pandey, the cockpit was lodged in a container at the edge of the airport after the crash. Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, the pilot, was the only survivor but he sustained serious injuries, including broken bones in his back, and is currently in stable condition following surgery.

The CRJ 200 plane, operated by Saurya Airlines, was carrying 19 people, primarily crew and technical staff, when it went down shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was headed for Pokhara, where maintenance was required. Eyewitness reports described a frightening noise as the plane crashed, leaving fragments scattered in a muddy field.

Rescuers quickly arrived on the scene, pulling the pilot from the wreckage as he faced difficulties breathing. Officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash, but early investigations suggest it may have resulted from engine failure or pilot error.

Dirga Bahadur Khadka, the granduncle of co-pilot Sushant Katwal, has criticized Saurya Airlines, suspecting that pressure was placed on the pilots to fly despite technical issues. The airline has faced financial troubles exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and has struggled to maintain safety standards.

The aviation sector in Nepal has a troubled history, with the recent crash marking yet another incident in a series of accidents in the country’s mountainous terrain. Numerous investigations are expected as families of the deceased demand answers and accountability.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has stated that it was the airline’s responsibility to coordinate with families affected by the tragedy. However, many relatives have expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the airline regarding the circumstances leading to the crash.

Authorities are calling for an independent investigation to determine how such a disaster could occur, especially given the existing safety concerns highlighted by international aviation regulators in past years. With the crash being the 105th aviation incident in Nepal since the 1950s, the public’s worry about air travel safety continues to grow.