KATHMANDU: A tragic helicopter crash has claimed the lives of five people near Shivapuri in Nuwakot district. The Air Dynasty helicopter, registered as 9N-AJD, was en route from Kathmandu to Rasuwa when it collided with a hill at Surya Chaur-7, Nuwakot.
The helicopter, which took off from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at 1:54 PM, lost contact shortly after reaching the Surya Chaur area. Locals who witnessed the incident promptly informed the authorities, leading to a swift deployment of a rescue team to the crash site.
Chief District Officer of Nuwakot, Ramkrishna Adhikari, confirmed the involvement of local residents in alerting the police about the crash. In response, the government has established a three-member committee to investigate the incident. This committee, led by Nepal Army’s Senior Pilot Subash Thapa, is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within 30 days.
Among the deceased were one Nepali and four Chinese nationals. The helicopter was on a flight path from Kathmandu to Syafrubesi in Rasuwa when the accident occurred.
Government spokesperson Prithvi Subba Gurung announced the formation of the investigative committee during an emergency cabinet meeting held on Wednesday afternoon. This tragic event underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures in Nepal’s aviation sector.