Nepal plane crash Updates: Flight with 72-onboard crashes on runway at Pokhara International Airport, 68 dead

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Mishandling, malfunctioning of aircraft system or pilot fatigue could be among the factors that caused the deadly plane crash in Nepal that killed at least 68 people on Sunday, according to pilots and an aircraft accident investigation expert. They also said the exact reasons that led to the accident will be known only after a detailed investigation. Nepal, which has witnessed quite a few aircraft accidents in recent years, on Sunday witnessed the crash of an ATR-72 aircraft, operated by Yeti Airlines, that was flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Going by the video clips on social media purportedly showing the plane's trajectory seconds before it crashed, it was a clear sky and the weather was not bad. An aircraft accident investigator told PTI that going by one of the video clips, the nose of the aircraft slightly went up and the wings drooped to the left side before the crash happened, and there could have been a stall. While the exact factors for the crash will be known only after completion of the detailed probe, initially, it looks like the possibility of mishandling by the pilot or malfunctioning of the plane's angle of attack system, he said on the condition of anonymity. The person, who was involved in multiple aircraft accident probes, was also closely associated with the investigation into the Calicut plane crash in 2020. A senior pilot at a leading Indian carrier, who did not wish to be quoted, said that following procedures is paramount when flying to terrains like that in Nepal. The pilot, who also flies to Nepal, said multiple factors, including pilot fatigue, could have led to the crash. While flying an aircraft, there is decision-making at every step and a pilot needs to have good rest. So, there could have been pilot fatigue and also the possibility of procedures not being followed, the pilot added. A pilot with a regional carrier, who has been flying ATR planes for nearly two decades, opined that the particular aircraft could have suffered a stall or there could have been a pilot error. The factors that led to the crash will be clear only after the completion of the investigation, the pilot added.

Four of the five Indians killed in a plane crash in Nepal on Sunday hailed from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. Ghazipur District Magistrate Aryaka Akhauri told PTI over phone that the administration has reach out to the affected families. "Our sub-divisional magistrate and other officials are meeting them. We are also in touch with the embassy.... We will do the needful after the recovery of bodies," she said. At least 68 people were killed when a Yeti Airlines passenger plane with 72 people onboard, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in central Nepal's resort city of Pokhara on Sunday. The four victims from Ghazipur district were identified as Sonu Jaiswal, Anil Rajbhar, Abhishek Kushwaha and Vishal Sharma. Sharma belonged to Alawalpur Chatti village in the Badesar area of the district, Jaiswal had houses in Chak Jainab and Alawalpur Chatti but was currently living in Sarnath, a police spokesperson said. Rajbhar was a resident of Chak Jainab in the Badesar area and Kushwaha of Dharwa in the Nonhara area of Ghazipur, he said. Asked about the fifth Indian killed in the plane crash, who was identified as Sanjay Jaiswal, the police spokesperson said he might have his roots in Ghazipur but it could not be confirmed yet. According to available information he was living in Kathmandu, the police spokesperson added.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a plane crash in Nepal's Pokhara. At least 68 people were killed when a plane with 72 passengers onboard, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in central Nepal's resort city. "I am extremely distressed by the news of the tragic plane crash in Nepal's Pokhara that has claimed the lives of so many," Banerjee said on Twitter. She extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished speedy recovery for those injured. Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am on Sunday and crashed on the bank of the Seti River between the old airport and the new airport, minutes before landing, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The flight time between Kathmandu and Pokhara is 25 minutes. Of the five Indian passengers, four were planning to participate in paragliding activities in the tourist hub of Pokhara, a local resident said. Pokhara is a major tourist destination in the Himalayan country.

The rescue and search operation in the Nepal plane crash that killed 68 people on Sunday has been halted and will resume on Monday to find the remaining bodies trapped in a deep river gorge surrounded by steep cliffs. At least 68 people were killed when Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft with 72 people onboard, 68 passengers and four crew members, including five Indians, crashed on the bank of the Seti River in central Nepal's resort city of Pokhara. The plane fell into the Seti River gorge. The 300-metre-deep gorge is considered dangerous for venturing because of the steep cliffs on its both sides. The river that flows deep down the gorge is not easily visible from above. At least 32 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage site. According to officials, the rescue and search operation has been halted for Sunday and will resume on Monday.

Total of 72 people including 4 crew members were onboard the flight. There were 53 Nepalese, 5 Indians, 4 Russians, 2 Koreans, 1 Australian, 1 Argentinan, 1 Irish and 1 French passenger in the flight, said Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority. 

All the unidentified bodies will be sent to Kathmandu via helicopter for DNA examination. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed grief over an air crash in Nepal's Pokhara on Sunday and said "our thoughts are with the affected families". A Nepalese passenger plane with 72 people on board, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in central Nepal's resort city of Pokhara on Sunday, killing at least 68 people. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft had taken off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am. Pokhara is a major tourist destination in the Himalayan nation. "Deeply grieved on hearing about the air crash in Pokhara, Nepal. Our thoughts are with the affected families," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Five Indians were among the 15 foreign nationals onboard the plane, the Indian Embassy said in a tweet. Their fate is not immediately known.

"This is very unfortunate we have already expressed our condolences. There were 5 Indians on the aircraft as per the press release shared by the airlines but details are yet to arrive," said Shankar P Sharma, Nepal Ambassador to India. 

At least 68 people were killed when a Nepalese passenger plane with 72 people onboard, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the newly-opened airport in central Nepal's resort city of Pokhara on Sunday, a rescue official said. Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am and crashed on the bank of the Seti River between the old airport and the new airport, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). "So far, dead bodies of 68 people have been recovered from the crash site,” an official at the Search and Rescue, Coordination Committee of the CAAN told media over the phone. However, the dead bodies are yet to be identified, he added. Efforts are on to recover four more bodies, he said.

Around 68 bodies have been recovered from Nepal plane crash site in Pokhara, said Rescue official.

The Pokhara International Airport, which witnessed the fatal crash of a Nepalese passenger plane with 72 people onboard on Sunday, was inaugurated two weeks ago by Nepal’s newly-appointed Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and built with Chinese assistance. Built in the backdrop of the pristine Annapurna Mountain Range, the airport was officially inaugurated on January 1, 2023. The flagship project was part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation. The Nepal government signed a USD 215.96 million soft loan agreement with China in March 2016 for the construction of the airport in this tourist hub, according to Kathmandu Post newspaper. Last year, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi handed over the Pokhara Regional International Airport to the then Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, during a courtesy call held at Baluwatar.

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a plane crash in Nepal and said it was "extremely unfortunate". A Nepalese passenger plane with 72 people onboard, including five Indians, crashed into a river gorge while landing at the Pokhara airport on Sunday, killing at least 32 people. "The loss of lives in a tragic plane crash in Nepal is extremely unfortunate. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the bereaved. Om Shanti," Scindia said in a tweet. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am. Pokhara is a major tourist destination in the Himalayan nation. While landing at the Pokhara airport around 11 am, the aircraft crashed on the bank of the Seti River between the old airport and the new airport. There were a total of 68 passengers and four crew members.

Nepal has announced one-day national mourning and holiday in wake of the Pokhara plane crash in which 42 people have died so far.

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal along with Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane will visit the Pokhara plane crash site today. A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the reasons for the crash.

1. The Yeti Airlines plane crashed when it was just 10 seconds away from landing at the Pokhara International Airport.   
2. The plane tilted mid-air when it was about to land at the Pokhara airport.
3. The Yeti Airlines flight that crashed today was on its third sortie since Sunday morning. It first flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu earlier in the day. It crashed when the plane was coming back to Pokhara in its third round.
4. Five Indians were among the total 15 foreign nationals onboard the plane. Other foreign passengers included - 4 Russians, 2 Koreans, an Australian, an Irish, an Argentinian and a French, besides 53 Nepalese.
5. The plane was piloted by captain Kamal KC and Assistant Captain Anju Khatiwada.

Deeply saddened after a plane carrying 72 passengers including the crew members, and Indians crashed in Pokhara. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy, Ambassador of Nepal to India said.

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal have issued helpline numbers as there were 5 Indians onboard the Nepalese plane which crashed before landing near the Pokhara International Airport.

According to the sources of Pokhara Airport ATC, the ill-fated Yeti Airlines plane was just 10 seconds away from the runway.

According to the ATC employee, Pokhara's runway is east-west.

The pilot first asked for permission to land from the east side which was granted. However, after a short while, he asked for permission to land from the west side which was also granted.

All flights from Pokhara International Airport have been suspended for the day.

According to reports, there were at least 5 Indians onboard the Yeti Airlines plane that crashed near Pokhara International Airport moments before landing.

The Nepal Airport Authority said that out of 68 passengers, there were 53 Nepali, 5 Indians, 4 Russians, One Irish, 2 Koreans, 1 Argentinian and a French national were on board.

Initial reports suggested that the Yeti Airlines plane with 72-onboard crashed due to bad weather, however, a video has surfaced on social media showing the plane tilted mid-air before its crash. In the video, one can see that the weather was clear, therefore, there might have been some other reason for the crash.

A video has surfaced showing the moment when the Yeti Airlines plane with 72-onboard crashed just before landing at Nepal's Pokhara International Airport on Sunday.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal holds an emergency meeting to monitor the situation after a Yeti Airlines plane with 72-onboard crashed before landing at the Pokhara International Airport. At least 32 people have died so far.

Out of 68 passengers, there were 10 foreigners on the plane, according to the state-run Nepal Television.

According to Tek Bahadur KC, Chief District Officer of the Kaski district, the plane crashed into the Seti river gorge.

A look at visuals from the site where a Yeti Airlines plane with 72-onboard crashed during landing at the Pokhara International Airport.

While landing at the Pokhara airport, the aircraft crashed on the bank of the Seti River between the old airport and the new airport. There were a total of 68 passengers and four crew members, Republica newspaper reported.

Rescue operations are ongoing. Details of the accident are yet to come. Reports say that at least 32 people have died so far.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has called an emergency meeting after a Yeti Airlines plane with 72 onboard including four crew members crashed during landing at the Pokhara International Airport.

A Nepalese passenger plane with 72 people onboard crashed on Sunday while landing at the Pokhara airport, according to media reports. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Yeti Airlines' 9N-ANC ATR-72 aircraft took off from Kathmandu at 10:33 am.

It crashed moments before landing at the Pokhara International Airport amid bad weather conditions.