DHC6, en-route, south southwest of Jomsom Nepal, 2016

DHC6, en-route, south southwest of Jomsom Nepal, 2016

Summary

On 24 February 2016 a DHC6 (9N-AHH) on a VFR flight to Jomsom which had continued towards destination after encountering adverse weather impacted remote rocky terrain at an altitude of almost 11,000 feet approximately 15 minutes after takeoff after intentionally and repeatedly entering cloud in order to reach the destination. The aircraft was destroyed and all on board were killed. The Investigation attributed this to the crew’s repeated decision to fly in cloud and their deviation from the intended route after losing situational awareness. Spatial disorientation followed and they then failed to respond to repeated EGPWS cautions and warnings.

Description

On 24 February 2016, an almost new Viking DHC6-400 (9N-AHH) being operated by Tara Air on a daytime scheduled domestic passenger flight from Pokhara to Jomsom on a VFR flight plan did not arrive at the intended destination and was subsequently found to have crashed into high terrain en-route resulting in its destruction with this and a post crash fire resulting in fatal injuries to all 23 occupants. 

Investigation 

An Investigation was carried out by an Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (AAIC) established for the purpose by the Government of Nepal the day after the accident had occurred in accordance with provisions of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Regulation 2014. The wreckage of the aircraft was located at 10,982 feet amsl on a sloping hillside near the entrance to the valley in which Jomsom Airport is situated. 

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