Investigation Summary
The accident occurred during a chartered flight originating from Nepalgunj, with a stop at Gamgadhi Army Base. Shortly after departing Gamgadhi at 11:25 NPT, the helicopter was maneuvering over Rara Lake. Witnesses and subsequent reports indicated that the aircraft was performing a turn to allow the passengers a better view of the scenery when it lost altitude and struck the water. The impact was severe enough to eject two passengers from the cabin, who ultimately survived. The remaining four occupants, including Princess Prekshya Shah, were killed. Rescue operations were hampered by the remote location, with army personnel taking 45 minutes to reach the site. The Princess's body was later recovered from the lake by rescue teams.
Final Conclusions
The crash was attributed to the helicopter dropping into the lake while performing a turn at low altitude. While the official investigation focused on the operational circumstances of the maneuver over Rara Lake, the event gained significant political attention due to the high-profile nature of the victims. In 2009, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal publicly alleged a connection between this crash and the Nepalese royal massacre that had occurred earlier that year, though no evidence was ever produced to support a theory of sabotage or conspiracy.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Airframe
The Eurocopter AS350 is a single-engine light utility helicopter known for its high-altitude performance.
Interesting Facts
- 01The flight was a private charter carrying Princess Prekshya Shah, the younger sister of Queen Aishwarya and Queen Komal.
- 02The pilot was the only person to survive the impact according to official Ministry reports, though other accounts mention two survivors.
- 03The crash occurred in Rara Lake, the largest lake in Nepal.
- 04The aircraft was an Aérospatiale AS 350B Ecureuil, manufactured in 1990 (MSN 2388).
Safety Actions & Advisories
Sightseeing Flight Regulations
Source ↗Following several high-profile accidents in the early 2000s, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) implemented stricter guidelines for non-scheduled charter flights and sightseeing maneuvers, emphasizing minimum safe altitudes and terrain clearance during passenger-requested deviations.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Alleged Link to Royal Massacre
Reference ↗In 2009, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alleged the crash was linked to the Nepalese royal massacre, though these claims remained unproven and were not supported by the accident investigation.