Kathmandu - A Nepalese government investigation into the
crash of a United Nations helicopter earlier this year has cited
negligence and non-adherence to aviation rules by the pilot and the
UN as the main causes for the accident.
The helicopter, a Russian built Mi-8 belonging to the United
Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), crashed on a hillside in Ramechaap
district, about 100 kilometres east of the Nepalese capital
Kathmandu, in March during stormy weather, killing 10 people.
The report which was handed over to the government Tuesday accused
the pilot of ignoring Visual Flight Rules (VFR) while flying in area
surrounded by high mountains and the UN of allowing pilots without
the requisite experience to fly the aircraft.
'Under Nepalese rules the captain of the aircraft must work as
a co-pilot for one year before flying the aircraft,' the leader of
investigation team, Narendra Prasad Ghimire, said. 'The Russian
captain piloting the helicopter had just 10 hours of flying
experience in Nepal.'
Ghimire said the investigations into the crash had been difficult
because the cockpit voice recorder had been shut down during the
flight and the team was unable to get technical details.
But he said the investigations had involved talking to witnesses
and experts.
'It appears that despite the flight plan, the pilot flew the
helicopter into the clouds thinking it would take it above the clouds
and safely to Kathmandu,' Ghimire said. 'There seems to be lack of
pilot experience and his unfamiliarity of Nepal's terrain and weather
system.'
Meanwhile, the UNMIN said it would review the report before making
recommendations.
'UNMIN expects to receive the full report of the commission
shortly, and will closely review the findings and recommendations in
conjunction with United Nations Headquarters in New York,' the UN
body said.
'Initial observations and recommendations from the Commission were
conveyed to UNMIN, and appropriate action has already been taken in
accordance with these,' the UNMIN said.
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