Second Nepalese plane crash in three days
February 26, 2016
Nepalese officials said at least one person had died in the Friday plane crash.
The single-engine jet was en route from Nepalganj to the Jumla district, flying over western Nepal's mountainous terrain. The Tilkha village, where the plane went down, is about 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of the capital Khatmandu.
The DPA news agency reported the deaths of two pilots, and said a helicopter had been dispatched to the crash site to rescue possible survivors. The death toll is feared to be higher.
The Kasthamandap Airlines plane appeared to have experienced technical problems and attempted to land on a field near the top of the mountain, according to aviation officials.
It was the second plane accident in Nepal in three days. Twenty-three people, including a Chinese and a Kuwaiti, were killed when a plane crashed in central Nepal due to bad weather.
Poor safety record
In 60 years, Nepal has suffered more than 70 crashes and more than 700 fatalities, leaving the country's aviation sector open to strong criticism from international authorities.
In December 2013, the European Union banned all Nepalese airlines from flying to destinations within the bloc.
Air crashes in recent years have been attributed to pilot inexperience, inadequate maintenance and poor management.
In 2014, a Nepal Airlines plane carrying 18 people crashed and killed all aboard in an area similar to that of the plane in Wednesday's crash.
shs, mz/ rc (AP, dpa, AFP)