Nepalganj – Surkhet – Jumla

On June 21, 2006 at 12:03 PM, Nepalganj – Surkhet – Jumla experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Yeti Airlines, with the event recorded near Jumla Karnali.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

9 people were known to be on board, 9 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 6, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine aircraft departed Nepalganj Airport on a domestic service to Jumla with an intermediate stop in Surkhet, carrying six passengers, three crew members and a load consisting of bags containing grains for a total of 941 kilos. While approaching Jumla Airport, the crew was informed that runway 27 was in use with a wind from 240 at 4 knots. For unknown reasons, the captain started the approach to runway 09 at 1201LT. At an excessive speed, he missed the runway, initiated a go-around procedure and passed to the right of the tower. Then, he started a steep turn to the left when the aircraft lost height and speed and crashed in a field located 500 meters east of the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 9 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 9N-AEQ, MSN 708, year of manufacture 1980.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 29.4287°, 82.0592°.