Investigation Summary
The flight was operating in the difficult mountainous terrain of Nepal during the monsoon season. After departing Jomsom, the crew had to navigate the aircraft through the high-altitude passes of the Himalayas. As they approached Pokhara, the weather conditions were poor, with the airport and surrounding hills obscured by thick clouds. Because the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder, which was not a requirement under Nepalese aviation law at the time, investigators had to rely on physical evidence at the crash site and meteorological reports. The wreckage was located near the village of Dopahar on August 23, one day after the disappearance. The investigation determined the aircraft was in controlled flight when it impacted the terrain, indicating the crew was likely unaware of their proximity to the hillside due to the lack of visual references.
Final Conclusions
The accident was classified as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The primary factor was the crew's decision to continue the approach into Pokhara under visual flight rules despite the presence of thick cloud cover that obscured the local terrain. The lack of an onboard Flight Data Recorder (FDR) limited the ability of investigators to determine the specific instrument readings or flight parameters prior to impact.
Video Analysis
Nepal: Bodies of 18 people killed in plane crash recovered — Archival footage from the Associated Press showing the recovery efforts and wreckage of the Shangri-La Air Twin Otter near Pokhara.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Systems & Failure Modes
Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
The aircraft was not fitted with an FDR as it was not required by Nepalese regulations at the time of the accident.
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
The crew was operating in a region where pilots must maintain visual contact with the ground, a task made impossible by the monsoon cloud cover.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter that first flew in 1981.
- 02The crash site was located 5 kilometers southeast of Pokhara Airport.
- 03The flight carried 13 German citizens, one Briton, one American, and three Nepalese crew members.
- 04The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder (FDR).
- 05The region had experienced three days of continuous rain prior to the accident.
Safety Actions & Advisories
International Investigative Cooperation
The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) dispatched a team to assist Nepalese authorities due to the high number of German casualties.