Kathmandu, October 15
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has suspended the air operator certificate of Manang Air, following its involvement in a helicopter accident on Saturday. The authority issued a notice on Saturday, stating that Manang Air Pvt Ltd has been suspended until further notice.
The Manang Air helicopter with the callsign 9N-ANJ was en route from Lukla in Solukhumbu to Lobuche when the accident took place. The incident occurred at 7.13 a.m. on Saturday, resulting in injuries to the pilot, PK Sedhai, as the helicopter was in the process of rescuing passengers at high altitude.
This was Manang Air’s second helicopter accident in three months. On July 11, six people died after the company’s helicopter crashed near the Lamjura pass in Solukhumbu.
Gyanendra Bhul, the information officer at the authority headquarters, stated that the air operator certificate was suspended due to the poor flight safety record of the company.
CAAN said the company does not have helicopters to fly as a result of the two accidents. According to Information Officer Bhul, even if the company acquires another helicopter, it will not be able to resume flight operations immediately.
“We need to conduct and inquire on why this is happening after which we will decide if the company will be allowed to fly again,” says Bhul.
The pilot, Sedhai, has been taken to Mumbai for treatment following the crash.
