Nepal Opens Investigation Into Deadly Helicopter Collision Near Mount Everest
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched an official investigation into the collision involving two helicopters near Mount Everest, after the accident killed an Indian tourist and injured three other people.
The crash occurred at around 8:12 a.m. on November 3, as helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty were attempting to land at a helipad in Pheriche, in the Solukhumbu district, at an altitude of approximately 4,371 meters.
Authorities identified the deceased as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, an Indian national from Chennai. The three injured included a New Zealand national and the pilots of both helicopters.
Preliminary findings suggest that miscommunication between the pilots may have contributed to the collision. The helipad is outside the coverage of Lukla Airport’s air traffic control tower, meaning pilots must coordinate directly with one another.
Nepalese aviation officials said they were recording statements from the injured pilot as part of the investigation. However, the exact cause of the accident has not yet been established.
The Air Dynasty helicopter was operating a cargo flight from Lukla, while the Fishtail Air aircraft was carrying two foreign passengers from the Everest region.
The Civil Aviation Authority said it would take necessary action and introduce corrective measures based on the investigation’s findings.
The accident has renewed concerns over helicopter safety in Nepal’s Everest region, where aircraft are frequently used to transport trekkers, deliver supplies and evacuate people from remote mountain areas.