The "Roof of the World" That Doesn't Easily Allow Landings... Why Frequent Accidents in Nepal?

Influence of Frequently Changing Weather Conditions and More

As the analysis of the exact cause of the Nepal plane crash, which killed 68 people including 2 Koreans, is underway, the rugged mountainous terrain near the local airport and inadequate equipment inspections are being pointed out as major causes.

Unceasing Nepal Passenger Plane Crashes

On the 15th (local time), according to Yeti Airlines and Nepal authorities, an ATR72 aircraft belonging to Nepal's Yeti Airlines carrying 72 passengers crashed. It was reported that there were also two Koreans on the passenger list of the aircraft. The photo shows rescue workers gathered at Pokhara, Nepal, where the wreckage of the crashed aircraft remains.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

This is not the first time a plane crash has occurred in Nepal. In May last year, a small passenger plane belonging to Tara Air in Nepal crashed 15 minutes after taking off from Pokhara Airport, killing all 22 people on board. Also, in March 2018, a plane carrying 71 people departing from Dhaka, Bangladesh, crashed while attempting to land in Kathmandu, Nepal, resulting in 51 deaths.

Nepal is home to 8 of the 14 Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters, including Everest, Annapurna, and Manaslu, making it a country frequently visited by many mountaineers. In particular, Nepal accounts for one-third of the Himalayan mountain range and is also called the "Roof of the World."

Impact of Frequently Changing Weather Conditions

An ATR72 aircraft belonging to Nepal's Yeti Airlines, carrying 72 people, crashed in Pokhara, western Nepal. On the 15th (local time), rescue workers searched the accident site. According to local authorities, the ATR72, with 68 passengers and 4 crew members on board, crashed into a gorge after taking off from Pokhara International Airport. It is reported that there were also 2 Koreans on the passenger list of the aircraft.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The frequent plane accidents in Nepal are also related to the constantly changing weather conditions. Nepal is known for its challenging takeoffs and landings due to its many high-altitude areas and frequent sudden fog and severe weather. The British Guardian pointed out, "Nepal's runways are known to be the most challenging in the world, and even skilled pilots find takeoffs and landings difficult."

Additionally, there is a widespread perception that Nepal's passenger planes are unsafe due to insufficient pilot training and maintenance, leading the European Union (EU) to completely ban Nepalese aircraft from entering its airspace. The passenger plane that crashed this time was a short-distance propeller aircraft over 15 years old.

The Gateway to Everest... One of the Most Dangerous Airports in the World

Nepal's Lukla Airport is often mentioned as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. Known as the "Gateway to Everest," one end of the airport's runway is a cliff, so planes must take off running downhill. This airport is located at an altitude of 2,845 meters on Mount Everest. The runway was carved out of a mountainside and is very short and narrow, measuring 527 meters in length and 20 meters in width.

Meanwhile, according to foreign media including AFP on the 15th (local time), at around 10:30 a.m., a Yeti Airlines ATR72 aircraft heading from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Pokhara city crashed. The aircraft had 4 crew members and 68 passengers on board.

Immediately after the accident, a spokesperson for Nepal's Yeti Airlines announced that there were a total of 15 foreigners on board the crashed aircraft. The foreigners included 2 Koreans, 1 Australian, 1 French, 1 Argentine, 5 Indians, 4 Russians, and 1 Irish. The 2 Korean passengers were reported to be Sergeant Yoo Mo, a man in his 40s in the army, and his teenage son.

Nepal's aviation industry has prospered in recent years due to the continued demand from foreign climbers and others. However, with the recent increase in aviation accidents, tourists' anxiety is also growing.