“Tragic Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Six Including Captain CB Gurung and Mexican Family”

A tragic incident unfolded in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal when a Manang Air helicopter, with registration number 9N-AMV (ASSO), went missing. The helicopter was en route to Kathmandu from Surke Airport when all communication was suddenly lost. After an extensive search, the wreckage of the helicopter was discovered near Lamjura in Ward No 5. Unfortunately, all six individuals on board, including the pilot, had lost their lives.

The pilot, Captain CB Gurung, was a Nepali national, while the other passengers were Mexicans. They had come to the Khumbu region to experience a mountain flight and observe Sherpa culture. The bodies of the deceased have been airlifted to Kathmandu and are being kept at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem.

This incident has added to the unfortunate statistics of helicopter crashes in Nepal. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), there have been 35 fatal helicopter crashes in the country. In 2023 alone, four helicopter crashes have been reported, including this one. Earlier this year, there were crashes involving Simrik Air, Heli Everest, and Air Dynasty helicopters, but fortunately, there were no casualties in those incidents.

In response to this tragic incident, the government has announced that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the factors that led to the crash. The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, made this announcement during the Nepal Vidyapati Maithili award ceremony in Janakpurdham.

Helicopter accidents are a serious concern in Nepal, a country known for its challenging terrain and popular tourist destinations. It is crucial for authorities to ensure the safety and maintenance of helicopters and conduct thorough investigations to prevent such incidents in the future..