Investigation Summary
The flight departed Bajhang Airport at 10:11 local time for what was intended to be a short hop to Dhangadhi. The aircraft, a Twin Otter registration 9N-ABP, was delivered new to Royal Nepal Airlines from the manufacturer de Havilland Canada in 1979. It was carrying 22 passengers and 3 crew members. Radio contact was maintained until 10:31, just two minutes before the scheduled arrival. When the aircraft failed to land, a search was initiated. A helicopter eventually located the wreckage on Jarayakhali Hill in the Jogbuda area. The impact occurred at 1,310 meters (4,300 feet) above sea level. Evidence at the site indicated the aircraft had collided with trees before impacting the hillside and catching fire. The investigation concluded that the pilots had flown the aircraft into the terrain while it was under their full control, a classic CFIT scenario often exacerbated by the challenging topography and weather conditions of the Nepali highlands.
Final Conclusions
The crash was attributed to pilot error leading to controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). The crew failed to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the Jarayakhali Hill during their approach to Dhangadhi.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Navigation
The crew was responsible for maintaining visual contact with the ground and obstacles; failure to do so in mountainous terrain is a primary factor in CFIT accidents.
DHC-6 Twin Otter Airframe
A STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) utility aircraft widely used in Nepal for its ability to operate from rugged, high-altitude airstrips.
Interesting Facts
- 01All 25 occupants, including three small children, were Nepali nationals.
- 02The aircraft involved was 21 years old, having been purchased new from de Havilland Canada in 1979.
- 03The crash site was located on Jarayakhali Hill in the Sivalik Hills range.
- 04This was the eighth accident involving a Twin Otter in Royal Nepal Airlines' history at the time.
- 05The wreckage caught fire upon impact, leaving no survivors.
Safety Actions & Advisories
VFR Compliance Reinforcement
Following the accident, emphasis was placed on strict adherence to Visual Flight Rules (VFR), particularly the requirement for pilots to maintain visual contact with the ground and avoid entering clouds or areas of low visibility in mountainous terrain.
Weather Monitoring Improvements
The investigation highlighted the role of marginal weather and low clouds in the CFIT event, leading to recommendations for improved real-time meteorological reporting for domestic routes in the Far-Western region.