Description

On 16 February 2014, a De Havilland Canada DHC6-300 (9N-ABB) being operated by Nepal Airlines on a day scheduled domestic passenger flight from Kathmandu to Jumla via a planned refuelling stop at Pokhara on a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Plan was subsequently found to have crashed into terrain en route between Pokhara and Jumla in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) resulting in its destruction and a post crash fire with fatal injuries sustained by all 18 occupants.

Investigation

An Investigation was carried out by an Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (AAIC) established by the Nepal Government Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on the day after the accident. The wreckage of the aircraft was located on a sloping hillside near Dihidanda, Masinalek in the Arghakhanchi District. Recorded data relevant to the Investigation was successfully downloaded from the 30 minute Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) but the aircraft was not fitted with an Flight Data Recorder (FDR). The GPS Unit carried and used for navigational assistance during the flight was found not to have the capability to store track data. The aircraft was not fitted with either weather radar or Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS).