Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18; Pilot Injured
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
KATHMANDU (Worthy News) – A plane crash in Nepal has killed 18 people on board while leaving the pilot injured, police said Wednesday.
The Saurya Airlines plane reportedly crashed Wednesday during takeoff on a test flight from Kathmandu to the resort town of Pokhara.
Officials said 19 people were on the test flight, including technical staff and two crew members. The pilot was the only survivor, according to investigators.
Nepal’s military said that rescue work was ongoing.
The aviation authority said the incident happened right after the 11:11 am local time takeoff of the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200.
Officials added that the plane turned right and crashed into the eastern section of the airport. However, the cause of the crash was being investigated.
MEDICAL COLLEGE
Answers were expected from the pilot. The Kathmandu Medical College Hospital said the pilot suffered injuries to the eyes “but is not in any danger.”
However, all other Nepalese on the plane, including one child and a Yemeni national, were dead, the aviation authority confirmed.
It was a significant setback for Saurya Airlines, which operates the Bombardier CRJ 200 regional jet on domestic routes.
Yet the crash highlighted concerns about Nepal’s aviation sector, which experts say has a poor safety record due to insufficient training and maintenance.
The European Union banned all Nepali airlines from its airspace.
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