Weight and Speed of Nepal Plane in July Crash Did Not Align with Guidelines, Investigation Reveals

KATHMANDU (Reuters) – An investigation team has released a preliminary report stating that the small passenger plane that crashed in Nepal in July, resulting in the deaths of 18 people, was carrying a load and traveling at a speed that did not conform to safety guidelines at the time of the incident.

The aircraft, owned by Saurya Airlines, crashed shortly after taking off from Kathmandu on July 24, killing all 17 passengers and the co-pilot, with only the captain surviving.

The report highlighted the airline’s failure to meet essential requirements regarding the weighing, loading, and securing of cargo. It noted discrepancies between the aircraft’s speed as detailed in the operational flight plan and the data recorded in the flight data recorder, stating they did not align with the Quick Reference Handbook.

"We discovered issues related to both the speed of the plane and the load it was carrying. Additionally, proper latching of the load was not performed," said Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, the lead investigator.

The panel emphasized the importance of following guidelines regarding the weighing, distribution, and securing of baggage and cargo.

The 50-seat CRJ-200 was en route to Nepal’s newly opened Pokhara airport for routine maintenance, as such facilities are not sufficiently available at Kathmandu airport. All onboard were Nepali citizens, except for one engineer from Yemen.

Since 2000, nearly 360 individuals have died due to plane or helicopter crashes in Nepal.

Nepal’s aviation safety has faced criticism, particularly as many airlines operate in remote mountainous areas where weather conditions can be unpredictable. The country’s main airport is surrounded by mountains, complicating takeoff and landing for pilots.