Nepal’s awe-inspiring landscape and lofty peaks have attracted visitors from all over the world. However, beneath the natural beauty lies a grim reality – Nepal has witnessed some of the deadliest air crashes in recent years. Over the years, Nepal has made headlines for tragic air crashes, including the recent Saurya Airlines crash that claimed eighteen lives. Here’s a look at some of the devastating plane crashes which have occured in Nepal since 2010.
Nepal’s Troubling History of Plane Crashes: A Closer Look at the Incidents Since 2010
Nepal, nestled in the majestic Himalayas, has unfortunately gained a notorious reputation for its deadly plane crashes. Let’s delve into the details of some of the most significant incidents that have occurred in the country since 2010.
Tara Air Twin Otter crash, 2010
One of the earliest tragedies took place on 15 December 2010 when a Tara Air DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Lamidanda to Kathmandu. The ill-fated flight claimed the lives of all 22 individuals on board, including three crew members.
Agni Air Flight 101 crashes near Bastipur, 2010
In a devastating incident on August 24, 2010, Agni Air Flight 101 met a tragic fate shortly after take-off. The flight, bound for Lukla from Kathmandu, crashed into a hillside near Bastipur, claiming the lives of all 14 individuals on board. The investigation panel determined that the pilot’s “loss of spatial orientation” was a result of the attitude indicator failure, exacerbated by instrument meteorological conditions with visibility less than 500 meters.
Buddha Air Flight BHA-103 crash claims 22 lives, 2011
In a heartbreaking incident on September 25, 2011, a Beechcraft aircraft belonging to Buddha Air crashed in the Lalitpur district of the Kathmandu valley. The ill-fated flight, carrying 22 passengers, including 10 Indian nationals, ended in tragedy as there were no survivors. The subsequent investigation panel identified pilot fatigue as a contributing factor, exacerbated by poor visibility conditions.
Agni Air Dornier 228 aircraft crashes near Jomsom Airport, 2012
In a devastating incident on May 14, 2012, a Dornier 228 aircraft operated by Agni Air crashed near the Jomsom airport. The flight, en route from Pokhara to Jomsom, carried a total of 21 individuals. Tragically, 15 lives were lost, including both pilots.
Sita Air Flight 601 Plunges into River, 2012
In a harrowing incident on September 29, 2012, a passenger plane belonging to Sita Air, operating a flight from Kathmandu to Lukla, tragically crashed into a river. The devastating accident resulted in the loss of all 19 individuals on board. Preliminary reports suggest that the cause of the crash was an error committed by the pilot.
Nepal Airlines Flight crashes in Arghakhanchi district, 2014
On February 16, 2014, a Nepal Airlines flight tragically crashed in the Arghakhanchi district. The crash resulted in the loss of eighteen lives.
Tara Air Flight 193 vanishes, no survivors found, 2016
Tara Air Flight 193, with 23 individuals onboard, disappeared just eight minutes after departing from Pokhara en route to Jomsom on February 24, 2016. The wreckage of the ill-fated aircraft was eventually located in the mountainous district of Myagdi. Sadly, no survivors were found, and it is believed that the crash was a result of treacherous weather conditions.
US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211 crash, 2018
On March 12, 2018, a Bombardier Q400 aircraft operated by US-Bangla Airlines crashed while landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. The privately-owned Bangladeshi airline was travelling from Dhaka to Kathmandu when the disaster occurred. Out of the 71 individuals on board, 51 tragically lost their lives in the crash.
Jet hits parked helicopter, 2019
In a devastating turn of events on April 14, 2019, a small plane veered off the runway near Mount Everest while attempting to take off. The plane struck a parked helicopter, resulting in the loss of three lives and leaving four individuals injured.
Mysterious disappearance of Tara Air Flight 197 in Mustang District, 2022
In a puzzling turn of events, Tara Air Flight 197, carrying 22 passengers, including four Indians, vanished on 29 May last year in Nepal’s mountainous Mustang district. The missing aircraft, a Twin Otter turboprop with the registration 9N-AET, was on its way from Pokhara to Jomsom in central Nepal. Despite extensive search operations, the fate and whereabouts of the aircraft and its passengers remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Yeti Airlines crash, 2023
In a devastating incident that shook Nepal, a twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft operated by Yeti Airlines crashed in Pokhara, resulting in the tragic loss of all 72 people on board. This fatal crash, which occurred in January 2023, marked the deadliest air disaster in the country since 1992. The memory of the Pakistan International Airlines plane crash, where 167 lives were lost while attempting to land in Kathmandu, still loomed large in the nation’s collective consciousness.
Tata Airplane Crash, 2023
A Tata airplane carrying 22 passengers, including three crew members, crashed in Nepal’s Mustang district last year. According to reports from Nepalese authorities, the crash was attributed to adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately, all passengers on board lost their lives in the tragic accident. Search and recovery efforts resulted in the retrieval of all the bodies.
