Nepal Helicopter Crash: Six Killed in Manang Air Near Mount Everest

A private helicopter with six people on board went missing in the area near Mount Everest area in Nepal on Tuesday, aviation authorities said. According to reports, out of the six passengers, five were Mexican citizens, whose individualities are yet to expose. The Manang Air chopper 9N AMV departed from Surke Airport in the Solukumbhu district for Kathmandu. It soon lost contact at an altitude above 12,000 feet at 10:13 am, within 10 minutes of its departure.

“The chopper was en route to Kathmandu from Solukhumbhu and got dissociated with the control tower at around 10 in the morning,” Information Officer Gyanendra Bhul said.

According to preliminary information, the crash occurred in the Lamjure area of Likhupike Rural Municipality. The helicopter had last made contact when it reached the Lamjura Pass, with a single “hello” communication entered via Viber. Authorities believe the prime reason for the accident to be adverse weather conditions that affected the helicopter’s navigation. Locals near the crash site of Chihandanda heard a loud explosion and saw flames.

Innovated in 1997, Manang Air is a helicopter airline based in Kathmandu. It is the leading provider of helicopter services to the public and private sectors. Manang Air presently has a line size of two units of AS350 B3 (H125) series helicopters acquiring Nepalese enrollment of ‘9N-AMV’ and ‘9N-ANJ’. The company has imported two brand new Airbus Helicopter AS350 B3 (H125) to give services to guests. Manang Air also provides individualized services to guests in all the avenues of its flight. The area of operation of the Company is not only confined to substantiated services but includes a process to support trekkers and pilgrims.