Kathmandu, December 28
The Investigation Commission established to examine the Yeti Airline aeroplane crash in Pokhara on January 15 has determined that human error was the primary factor leading to the incident.
The crash near Pokhara’s new airport killed all 72 on board including four crew members.
The Commission, formed under the coordination of former Secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimire submitted the final report to the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati on Thursday.
It took eight months and three days for the Commission to conduct the investigation and prepare the report. The government had constituted a five-member probe commission on the day of the plane crash. The commission comprised retired captain of the Nepali Army, Deepak Prakash Bastola, retired Captain Sunil Thapa, aeronautical engineer Ekraj Jung Thapa, and Joint-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane.
Upon receiving the report, Minister Kirati directed the subordinate bodies to rigorously implement the Probe Commission’s suggestions.
The preliminary report prepared by the aircraft accident investigation commission (AAIC) stated the aircraft did not have enough power due to the propellers being feathered.
The preliminary report also stated how the Yeti Airlines pilot wanted to land on Runway 12 despite being asked to land on Runway 30.
Along with that, it also states Captain Kamal KC, who was the instructor pilot, took control of the aircraft from Anju Khatiwada around 14 seconds before the crash. The report states that Khatiwada told KC there was no power in the aircraft.
