Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) has released a press release on Air Dynasty helicopter crash on February 27 that killed late Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari along with 6 other.
The press release stated that the ‘Bad Weather condition’ was the main reason for the crash of the chopper.
Government had formed a four-member commission led by former tourism secretary Yagya Prasad Gautam to investigate into the catastrophic accident. Nepalese Army Brigadier General Deepak Prasad Bastola, Captain Pramod Lama and Tourism Minister’s Joint Secretary Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane were other members in the committee.
The team on Wednesday submitted the report to State Tourism Minister Dhan Bahadur Budha that stated adverse weather condition as main reason for the crash.
The report also denoted that the violation of standard operating procedure like captain flying to unfamiliar place with VIP onboard, taking off during bad weather condition etc. as the causes of the crash.
Air Dynasty Helicopter registered ‘9N-AMI’ flying to Taplejung for inspection of the possibility of construction of airport in Chuhandada, Terathum under the command of late Capt. Pravakar K.C. carrying late Minister Rabindra Adhikari, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) along with Ang Chhiring Sherpa, Arjun Ghimire, Yubaraj Dahal, Birendra Shrestha and Dhruba Bhochhibhaya crashed in a minute after taking off.
The investigation committee has released the report on basis of crash site video, photo, locals, police, and temple priest to come up with final report. The committee also took information from Airbus Company and other officials along with Air traffic controller of Taplejung airport.
The investigation has been framed and put into action as per the reference derived from ICAO Annex-13 Accident Investigation and Civil Aviation Act (Accident Investigation) 2071 Chapter 10.
A single-engine helicopter of Air Dynasty AS350 B3e Airbus manufactured with call sign ‘9N-AMI’ had departed Kathmandu at 8:30 AM. It crashed in the hilly area at around 1:30 p.m. local time, just a few minutes after taking off from the temple. The aircraft was engulfed with flames following the crash.
