The Twin Otter DHC-6-300 ‘9N-ABU’ belonging to Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) initiated its flight operation from today after successful C of A (Certificate of Airworthiness) test at NAC hangar facility, TIA. The preliminary information suggests that the Twin Otter conducted its flight Kathmandu-Bhojpur-Kathmandu today.
It almost took one month for NAC Engineering Team to accomplish the C of A test for the aircraft. After the success of the test, the ‘9N-ABU’ conducted its test flight at Simara yesterday morning. The return of ‘9N-ABU’ to its operation will boost the NAC’s domestic flight operation as the upcoming festive and tourist season will increase the frequency of flights.
Another Twin Otter DHC-6 ‘9N-ABT’ is conducting its flight operation while DHC-6 ‘9N-ABX’ is waiting for complete replacement of both engines and landing gears. However, the modification of ‘9N-ABX’ has not expedited due to maintenance delays.
Likewise, one of NAC’s MA-60 ‘9N-AKQ’ is grounded at the hangar for A-Check whereas another MA-60 ‘9N-AKR’ is conducting its flights. On the other hand, Chinese made Harbin Y-12e ‘9N-AKT’ is conducting its regular flights but ‘9N-AKS’ is grounded at TIA waiting for some parts to be replaced. A week ago, ‘9N-AKT’ on its schedule flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara met a technical glitch on its engine after landing at Pokhara Airstrip requiring Army personnel to push the aircraft for taxiing.
NAC’s domestic flight operation is currently carried out by Harbin Y-12e, MA-60 and Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft on the destinations; Phaplu, Khanidanda, Bhojpur, Rukum, Nepalgunj, Simikot, Talcha, Jumla, Bajura, Biratnagar, Simara, Bhairahawa, Pokhara, Dhangadhi and Bhadrapur.
