<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20230208140212/63e3a0759c7e80680e0d703ajpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1381" height="862"/>Analysis of accident data of the last six decades of Nepal’s aviation history shows a pattern. But the tragic crash of the Yeti Airlines ATR72 in Pokhara on 15 January did not fit this template.More than 90% of fatal crashes since 1962 can be classified as <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/Twin-otters-down,1141">CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain)</a> in which an airworthy aircraft collides with mountains hidden by clouds.But Yeti Airlines flight YT691 was preparing to land in broad daylight, in good visibility and clear weather, at a brand new international airport with all modern navigational equipment.After the<a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2016/02/24/twin-otter-crash/"> last crash in June 2022</a> of a Tara Air Twin Otter on a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/60-years-of-living-dangerously/">Nepali Times had mined dat</a>a from multiple sources to try to get to the bottom of why Nepal has such a poor safety record.Between 1962 and June 2022, there had already been 863 fatalities in 71 air crashes. Of the deaths, most were in accidents involving <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=11168#.Y8bH_C8RqLc">CFIT</a>. Nearly all serious crashes in that period occurred on mountain routes, and most of them were during the monsoon months.Very few of the crashes in the past 60 years were caused by mechanical failure, loss of control, or bird strikes. And there had been no fatal crashes at Tarai airports. (See map)Although there have been <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/blogs/kundadixit/2014/02/17/twin-otters-in-the-nepal-sky/">quite a few CFIT crashes</a> in Pokhara or between the tourist city and Jomsom, there had been only one fatal accident on a flight to Kathmandu — a Necon Air HS-748 that struck a telecom tower at the western edge of Kathmandu Valley in 1999, killing 15.Experts describe Nepal as the most difficult country to fly in because of a combination of <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=19696">treacherous terrain and weather</a>, as well as insufficient navigation aid to airports with short runways and lack of accurate local weather forecasting.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20230208140212/63e3a0799c7e80680e0d703bjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="3600" height="2400"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>But weak regulatory oversight, commercial pressure, failure to follow procedures by flight crew have often been cited in previous air crash investigation reports as supplementary reasons in most accidents. These points were largely ignored, leading to a distressing repeat of deadly CFIT occurrences over the years.Almost every past investigation blamed violation of the regulation of flying VFR (Visual Flying Rules) at all times in the mountains as the primary reason for crashes. Crew underestimated the severity of deteriorating weather en route or at the destination, and were often over-confident or did not comply with standard operating procedures. Inadequate crew training was also often cited.But flying into a mountain in bad weather was not the reason for the YT691 disaster on Sunday, leading to the largest ever loss of life on a domestic flight in Nepal’s aviation history. And it happened at an international airport that had been inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal only two weeks previously.The same captain and co-pilot had flown the same plane (9N-ANC) as YT672 from Kathmandu to Pokhara at 0850 that morning, making a straight-in approach to land on runway 30 from the east.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20230208140212/63e3a07d9c7e80680e0d703cjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1493" height="670"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>They flew the plane back to Kathmandu, where Yeti Airlines merged it with another flight that was not full. YT691 then took off from Kathmandu again at 1032, and had already got ATC clearance to land on runway 30 when the captain asked for runway 12 from the west. The controller complied because there was no other traffic, but did not ask for the reason, according to sources.But while making the base to final turn over the old airport, the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/pokhara-bound-flight-crashes-in-nepal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ATR72 stalled and crashed into the Seti Gorge</a>, narrowly missing a residential area densely packed with houses.Eyewitness videos show the plane in a nose-up attitude, flying very slow and low, and seemingly in a landing configuration without flaps deployed. The end was swift, a video live-streamed by an Indian tourist of the final moments shows that it took only a few seconds between when the plane began to roll to impact.None of the 72 passengers and four crew are believed to have survived. Rescue efforts were hampered by gawkers and selfie takers, although there were heroic efforts by local youth to pull some passengers out of the flaming wreckage.The actual reason for the crash will have to await analysis of the Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) and Cockpit Voice Recorder by an investigation committee that has been formed.But it is clear from the videos that the plane stalled on the final turn. The question is why?A plane suffers a wing stall when there is insufficient lift either due to multiple engine failure, steep bank turn or angle of attack and/or failure to maintain air speed. Captain Kamal KC was a veteran with nearly 22,000 hours, with much of it on BA Jetstreams and ATR72s.Co-pilot Anju Khatiwada had logged 6,500 hours, and was sitting on the left cockpit seat on a final clearance flight to earn her captain’s wings, which she would have got upon landing YT691 that day.Ironically, Khatiwada’s husband had died in a <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=12079#.Y8bITS8RqLc">crash of a Yeti Airlines Twin Otter in Jumla</a> in 2006, when that plane also stalled while making a tight turn on finals.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20230208140212/63e3a0819c7e80680e0d703djpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2166" height="1282"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>The Pokhara crash is expected to complicate Nepal’s effort to extricate itself from the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-airlines-has-new-planes-but-no-new-plans/">European Union’s safety list </a>which has banned Nepal’s carriers from flying to or through Europe since 2013. The EU wanted the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to be split into regulatory and operational agencies, and make several procedural reforms.After a 2017 audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) gave a passing score, CAAN officials had been optimistic that Nepal would be removed from the EU Aviation Safety Agency blacklist.But the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/pokhara-jomsom-flight-with-22-missing/">Tara Air crash in June 2022</a>, and the Yeti Airlines disaster this week could delay European certification. Tara is a subsidiary of Yeti Airlines and the group’s founder, Ang Tshering Sherpa himself died in a crash <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/the-last-journey/">in Taplejung in 2019</a> in one of his own helicopters, along with Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/business/pokhara-airport-takesoff,2965">Rabindra Adhikari.</a>Adhikari, who was also MP from Kaski, had been instrumental in expediting the delayed construction of Pokhara’s new airport that was inaugurated on 1 January this year, just two weeks before the tragic crash.

Kunda Dixit

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How to make Nepal's skies safer

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110914114/636ba5769c7e80680e0736c9jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1660" height="1229"/><figcaption>Ang Tshiring Sherpa, Nepal's most innovative and self-effacing tourism entrepreneur in Marpha in 2016. Photo: LISA CHOEGYAL</figcaption></figure>One side effect of the silent skies over past months, other than tipping tourism and aviation into freefall, is that Nepal’s air safety record is greatly improved.Last week marked the sombre anniversary of the Thai International crash <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=12597#.XzD6Booza70" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id%3D12597%23.XzD6Booza70&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076295000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGI_x30GhvRWctX7wr7jB1g2gzi7Q">in heavy monsoon rains 28 years ago</a> which took the lives of so many Nepali families, friends and residents.Almost exactly two months later, a PIA Airbus piled into the opposite end of the Valley at Lele, the <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=5616#.XzD6iYoza70" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id%3D5616%23.XzD6iYoza70&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076295000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHyUzWCPsevoR4oEf4zHHU-B_xPbA">nation’s worst air disaster</a>. This time, 167 souls were lost, mostly tourists arriving at the beginning of the season -- so close that the specialist international forensic team were still in-country analysing the confetti-sized Thai aircraft wreckage.Exasperated with devastation and grief at yet another catastrophe, I volunteered with the British Embassy to help look after distraught relatives of the PIA victims.Nepal’s dramatic Himalayan terrain and fierce weather patterns make a deadly combination. The deplorable data confirms that the dozens of air accidents since the1992 double carnage occur <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=2412#.XzD544oza70" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id%3D2412%23.XzD544oza70&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076295000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH2LGp7o4Cs_euspbcs3o_agoB1dA">mostly during the turbulent monsoon months</a>, and involve helicopters as well as fixed-wing aircraft, both international and domestic flights. Usually the pilots have something to do with it and almost all are weather-related, regardless of the season.Early last year <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/helicopter-carrying-tourism-minister-crashes/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/helicopter-carrying-tourism-minister-crashes/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076295000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFk0ky2IPjMzTYcM76aAyS7XtiJiQ">we lost an inspirational tourism minister</a> when the chopper he was travelling in tried to take off from a socked-in hilltop temple intending to dive into clear weather, got caught in a freak updraft, and was <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/the-last-journey/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/the-last-journey/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076295000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFC_RMwxp-AlbE3AHGhvyGO9gH4iQ">slammed sideways against a cliff</a>. There were no survivors and the industry is still reeling from the tragedy.Along with the minister was Nepal’s most imaginative and daring tourism entrepreneur, Ang Tshiring Sherpa, managing director of Yeti and Tara Airlines amongst his many other ventures. It should never have happened, of course. Known to be fanatic about safety, on that fateful day, 27 February 2019, Tshiring allowed his usual strict flying rules to be compromised.It is still hard to accept the chill reality that Tshiring is not coming back. He was only 54. Never again would he drop by our house sitting under the garden cherry tree or casually greet me as he crossed Dwarika’s courtyard to lunch. Never again would I be summoned into his expansive office, glowing with carpets, polished wood and glass, and asked my advice in his serious calm manner.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110914114/636ba5799c7e80680e0736cajpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>Never again would I see his wry sideways smile as he gently rubbed his stubbled head in that curious distinctive way, attentive, nodding, self-deprecating. Never again would we dine together off the candle-lit polished tables at Le Sherpa restaurant with clients and relatives he wanted me to meet.Tshiring never wasted words, and I learned to listen carefully. Not once did I see him riled or angry, or indeed anything but thoughtful and measured. Even when I could tell he did not agree with my recommendations -- to refocus the family brand, consolidate companies, or add value by improving service standards -- he was unfailingly polite and patient. “Thank you, madam,” he would smile. He always liked to call me madam, with irony, no doubt.Tshiring was Nepal’s most innovative and wildly courageous tourism operator, striding fearlessly into deals with a sure instinct and confidence, trusting his powers of persuasion. His office team of competent henchmen and array of associated family members managed his Kathmandu-based empire of airlines, travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, remote lodges, wildlife camps, trekking and mountaineering companies.It was part of his quiet charm that he did not always get things right, had trouble navigating family politics, learned from mistakes, courted controversy and often moved in mysterious ways.I admired his business panache, but was most captivated by Tshiring’s persuasive rags to riches story, his ascent from humble origins in the Himalayan hamlet of Pangom to creator of Nepal’s major tourism conglomerate.“Let’s make a film about you,” I suggested. The narrative sweeps from a Solu Khumbu kitchen boy, the lowest rung of a trek team, running away to Kathmandu with Rs300 in his pocket (the exact amount is debated), to building the Yeti Group. He out-manoeuvred opponents with canny golf course diplomacy at Gokarna and invented champagne helicopter breakfasts with a view of Everest.In between, as a Sherpa sirdar he led treks throughout Nepal and during the summer worked in French alpine chalets. With typical modesty Tshiring was reticent about a movie, but liked the idea of a book for his extensive and extended Sherpa family.Mindful of those less fortunate than himself, philanthropy motivated many of Tshiring’s travel ideas interwoven with commercial interests. Every air ticket sold planted a sapling and each boarding pass donated five rupees to one of his charitable CSR causes. He embraced community development, and <a href="https://nepalitimes.atavist.com/rebranding-tourism-with-remodelled-plane-" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nepalitimes.atavist.com/rebranding-tourism-with-remodelled-plane-&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076296000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHKMIrxHm64H7Kug8jxiAInJaXirA">painted the Great Himalaya Trail logo onto his mountain aircraft.</a>He proposed a STOL airstrip at Lake Phuksundo to benefit the locals, homestays to restore the crumbling village of Braga, and a string of high altitude ecolodges to bring tourism to new areas of the Himalaya. Pilgrimage hotel projects ranged from the Lumbini Hokke at Buddha’s birthplace to Mokshain Jomsom, rising after the earthquake for Hindus visiting Muktinath. He never forgot his origins nor his spiritual roots.In 2016 at Chuksang we sat on plastic chairs in deep shadow under the apple trees, breakfasting on sweet tea and Tibetan bread. Tshiring had joined our recce to introduce high-end tourism to Mustang, quietly sharing his vision at a simple local lodge. His gentle demeanour fitted in anywhere, belying his relentless energy and appetite for business.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110914114/636ba57b9c7e80680e0736cbjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>Early one blustery morning in 2010, bad weather defeated us from reaching Tsum, whose remote pristine landscape he had wanted to show me, but instead the  helicopter dropped us into Langtang where he was working with the community to construct a trekkers’ lodge.<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110914114/636ba57d9c7e80680e0736ccjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480"><figcaption> </figcaption></figure>It was on that trip that I realised how cautious Tshiring was about flying, obsessed with Nepal’s air-safety, committed to carbon neutralising his airlines, and campaigning for UN and <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-airlines-has-new-planes-but-no-new-plans/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-airlines-has-new-planes-but-no-new-plans/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076296000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHg1hAc6M4zRgeZRSgG6ZTaTUFoxQ">EU certification</a>. A near-miss in Lukla involving his brother Sonam shook him greatly.The seventh day ceremony was in full swing when I arrived at his home, with a vast gathering of mourners and monks, the family weary with sadness amidst the incense and chanting.“He looked after me so well in life, I must look after him in death,” his wife Chanda smiled bravely. Nyima, his sister married to Tenzing Norgay’s grandson, took my hand and led me upstairs to the prayer room, wringing  her hands in sorrow and denial.Destiny had consigned Nepal’s most self-effacing tourism magnate to become yet another statistic in our <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/regular-columns/So-far-so-good/never-fly-clouds,855" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://archive.nepalitimes.com/regular-columns/So-far-so-good/never-fly-clouds,855&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1597133076296000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG8Mpc2W6BBxVKvs3lAIAUDIw7g6Q">wretched record of flying</a> in the mountains.

Lisa Choegyal

The silent skies

<figure><img width="1050" height="700" src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022110814110/636a53a79c7e80680e052361jpeg.jpg" alt=""/><figcaption>Photo: IKRISHNA PAUDEL</figcaption></figure>Yogesh Bhattarai is Nepal’s 37th Tourism Minister in 41 years. He has taken the place of Rabindra Adhikari, who was <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/the-last-journey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed in a helicopter crash</a> in April, and wants to continue projects his predecessor was keen on, like Nijgad Airport. Bhattarai spoke withNepali Times this week about the prospects of Visit Nepal Year 2020, rescuing Nepal Airlines and speeding up construction at Pokhara and Bhairawa airports.Nepali Times: You now head a ministry infamous for frequent changes and wheeling-dealing. How will you clean up its image? Yogesh Bhattarai: As the 37th Tourism Minister my appointment is unusual, and I have a pile of extraordinary tasks to complete. I will only step down after we have accomplished them. The centres of power in this country are the government and the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/dangerous-driving/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nepal Communist Party</a>, so there is no room for any wheeling-dealing.How are the preparations for Visit Nepal 2020? Since there was no minister for a long time, the preparations are not satisfactory. Infrastructure has not taken off. The challenge is to speed it up, and within two weeks we will release a detailed workplan laying out the responsibilities of the government, the ministry, the department, Nepal Tourism Board, organising committees and embassies for the Visit Nepal Year.The <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/latest/crowd-funding-from-mt-everest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last Mt Everest climbing season</a> was controversial. What are your plans for future expeditions?Much of it was intended to give Nepal’s mountains a bad reputation. There are some weaknesses on our side, but the <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/most-days-its-not-so-crowded-on-mt-everest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weather window of just three days led to the crowding</a>. Like every year there were casualties and we are concerned about reducing them. Some agencies are also <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/expeditions-brings-down-11-tons-of-mt-everest-trash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cleaning up the garbage on Everest</a>. We will issue new climbing rules and from the next season, only trained liaison officers will be employed.Read also:<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-airlines-has-new-planes-but-no-new-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nepal Airlines has new planes, but no new plans</a>, Sharaj Ojha<a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/keeping-nepal-airlines-airworthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keeping Nepal Airlines airworthy</a>, Sharad OjhaWhere has the investigation on <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/heli-rescue-fraud-tarnishes-nepals-image/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fake helicopter rescues</a> gone? The investigation committee under the general secretary has made some recommendations. Based on that document, further investigations are underway and <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-trekking-industry-in-damage-control-mode/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the culprits</a> will be punished.The number of tourists has increased, but their spending has not. This year, average spending per tourist came down to $44 from $55. But transactions via informal channels have been reduced.You said you would make Nepal Airlines “wow worthy”. What did you mean?We have to make <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepal-airlines-has-new-planes-but-no-new-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nepal Airlines</a> fly high again and turn it into a flag carrier we can be proud of. There are problems — we know what they are. The company should be in profit, and pay its debts. We cannot achieve that in two months, and there is no silver bullet. We need shock therapy.Mismanagement and political interference are blamed.  I don’t wish to blame anyone personally. I don’t think anyone intended for <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/keeping-nepal-airlines-airworthy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NAC</a> to collapse. But as I said, we are looking at a dramatic turnaround in management. Those who can handle the change will stay, those who can’t will have to go. If management can convince the government that the company is financially viable, then it will invest.You seem to be all for building <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/economy-ecology-of-nijgad-airport/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nijgad Airport</a>. What about the trees?  I am not here to cut trees, but we need to build the airport. Its investment modality will be decided after a discussion with Investment Board Nepal. We will talk with the Ministry of Forests, and local governments will work on resettlement. It is a national pride project, so it also requires political commitment. We aim to lay the foundation stone by November.Nepal’s aviation is still under the EU blacklist, even if ICAO has delisted us from the list of countries with safety concerns.  As per ICAO, a country should score a minimum of 60 points to pass the safety test — we have 66 points and have been delisted. But as far as the EU is concerned, a team is visiting Nepal for a safety audit. We believe that Nepal will soon be taken off the blacklist.

"Unusual appointment … extraordinary tasks"

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How to make Nepal's skies safer

The silent skies

"Unusual appointment … extraordinary tasks"