KATHMANDU, SEP 28 -
Nineteen people died when a Dornier Aircraft 9N AHA of Sita Air crashed at the banks of Manohara River in Thimi-16 of Bhaktapur district in the Capital on Friday.
19 people, including 16 passengers and three crew members died in the crash. It has been said that the aircraft crashed within two minutes after the Aircraft Controller’s Office gave its clearance for takeoff at around 6:10 am today.
The reason of the crash has not been ascertained. However, experts claim that it could either be a case of ‘on air fire’ or it could have struck a bird on air.
It has been said that the pilots could have tried to crash the aircraft in the river to minimise casualties. However, the aircraft could only reach the banks of Manohara River.
According to airport sources, most of the deceased are tourists. The deceased crew members have been identified as pilot Captain Bijaya Tandukar, co-Pilot Takeshi Thapa and airhostess Ruja Shakya.
The aircraft was on its way to Lukla from the Capital.
September 28, 2012 at 12:42 AM
मुजी बाहिर चाही 'मन्त्रीबाटै आत्महत्या प्रयास भएको खुलासा' भित्र चाही भुत्रो ,ढाट्नु पनि कति सकेको होला चिक्ने यो ब्लक ले त , जहिले ढाटेर काम चलाउने ...