KATHMANDU — A preliminary investigation into the deadly plane crash in Nepal on July 24, which claimed 18 lives, has revealed that the aircraft did not adhere to critical safety guidelines regarding weight and speed. The small passenger plane, operated by Saurya Airlines, crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of 17 passengers and the co-pilot, with only the captain surviving.
The investigation, led by a government team, found discrepancies between the plane’s actual weight and speed and the guidelines outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook. Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, chairman of the probe team, reported that the airline failed to comply with regulations on load weighing, loading, and securing, which were crucial for safe operation.
“We found problems with the plane’s speed and the load it was carrying. Also, proper, secure latching of load was absent,” Suman said. The report emphasized that adherence to guidelines on baggage and cargo weighing, distribution, and latching is essential for flight safety.
The 50-seater CRJ-200 aircraft was en route to Pokhara for routine maintenance, a destination chosen due to a lack of adequate maintenance facilities at Kathmandu airport. Among the 18 people on board were 17 technicians and one engineer from Yemen.
Nepal’s aviation industry has a concerning safety record, with nearly 360 fatalities in plane or helicopter crashes since 2000. The country’s challenging geography, including mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather, poses significant risks for aviation. The main airport in Kathmandu is surrounded by mountains, complicating takeoffs and landings and making adherence to safety protocols even more critical.