2019 Air Dynasty helicopter crash
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Nepal |
Key people | Ang Tshering Sherpa (Managing Director) |
| Products | Helicopter services |
On February 27, 2019, a Eurocopter AS350 B3e operated by Air Dynasty crashed shortly after departing from Pathibhara Devi Temple in Taplejung, en route to Chuhandanda in Tehrathum District, Nepal. The helicopter, carrying one pilot and six passengers, went down around 1:30 p.m. (Nepal Standard Time) amid challenging weather conditions. Tragically, all seven individuals on board lost their lives, including Rabindra Prasad Adhikari, who served as Nepal's Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation.
Background
Rabindra Prasad Adhikari, the Minister overseeing Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, was visiting Taplejung to evaluate the ongoing construction of the airport at Chuhandanda. Following this assessment, the delegation took a helicopter trip to the prominent local landmark, Pathibhara Devi Temple. The ill-fated journey was the return flight heading back to Chuhandanda.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a Eurocopter AS350 B3e bearing the registration 9N-AMI. Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters in 2017, it had been supplied brand new to Air Dynasty.
Passengers and crew
Among those aboard were Minister Rabindra Prasad Adhikari; Ang Tshering Sherpa, who is managing director of both Yeti Airlines and Air Dynasty; an aide to Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli; two representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal; a security officer; and the pilot.
Incident
The accident took place in Taplejung under severe weather conditions. The pilot communicated reports of heavy snowfall near Taplejung Airport and subsequently lost control of the helicopter. The aircraft crashed at Sisne Khola after colliding with Chuchche Dada, which caused a fire. Local witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by visible smoke, with wreckage dispersed throughout the crash area. Authorities confirmed the identification of Minister Adhikari and another victim at the scene.
Aftermath
The Office of the Prime Minister announced that February 28, 2019, would be observed as a national day of mourning in Nepal to pay tribute to those who perished in the helicopter accident. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa declared closures for schools, government offices, and diplomatic missions nationwide, with flags lowered to half-mast.
Due to heavy snowfall hindering recovery operations on the hillside crash site, only four bodies were initially transported to Suketar Airport. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal extended their sympathies, emphasizing that the loss of Minister Adhikari represented a considerable setback for Nepal’s leadership.
In honor of their managing director’s passing, both Yeti Airlines and Tara Air suspended all flights on March 1, 2019. The deceased were flown to Kathmandu on February 28 and scheduled for state funeral rites at Ramghat. Before the cremation ceremonies in Pokhara, Adhikari’s body was displayed at Nayabazar’s Exhibition Centre to allow public homage.
Investigation
On 28 February, the Government of Nepal initiated a formal inquiry into the incident.
After four months, the investigative committee's initial findings pointed to breaches in operational protocols, such as improper weight distribution and pilot inexperience, further aggravated by challenging weather conditions.
The AAIC concluded that adverse meteorological factors in the Pathibhara region resulted in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), leading to the pilot losing spatial orientation and control, which caused a Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) event.