Narayani | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft departed Simara Airport at 1457LT on a schedule flight to Kathmandu with 10 people on board. Three minutes after takeoff, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Burja Lek located few km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 10 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was estimated to be 5 km with low ceiling.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew failed to follow the correct route after takeoff and continued at an insufficient altitude until the aircraft collided with terrain.

Crash of an Avro 748-352-2B in Meghauli

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1996 at 1158 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 748

Operator:

Registration:

9N-ABR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Kathmandu - Meghauli

MSN:

1771

YOM:

1979

Flight number:

RA155

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Kathmandu, the crew started the descent to Meghauli Airfield. On final, the aircraft was too high and landed too far down the runway, about 1,148 feet past the runway threshold (Meghauli Airstrip is 3,500 feet). Unable to stop on a wet grassy runway, the aircraft overran and came to rest in a ravine. All 31 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who landed the aircraft too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. Also, it was reported that the braking action was poor as the grassy runway was wet.

Crash of a Dornier DO228-101 in Bharatpur: 19 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1993

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO228

Operator:

Registration:

9N-ACL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kathmandu - Bharatpur

MSN:

7029

YOM:

1984

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While descending to Bharatpur Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. Too low, the aircraft struck the slope of a rocky peak located about 6,5 km short of runway 15 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all 19 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Hetauda: 35 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1969

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

9N-AAP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kathmandu - Simara

MSN:

42956

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 7,300 feet in clouds, the twin engine airplane struck a tree located on the top of a hill and crashed in flames near the Sambri River. All 35 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain. At the time of the accident, the visibility was nil due to low clouds and the crew was unable to distinguish the mountain.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Simara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1955

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

VT-AZX

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

13285

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff run, the captain saw a man crossing the runway and decided to liftoff asap. He pulled on the control column and the aircraft rotated quickly. Unfortunately, the aircraft's speed was too low and it stalled before crashing few dozen yards farther. Two crewmen were killed while a third one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Premature liftoff on part of the pilot-in-command.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-20-DK Dakota III in Simara

Date & Time: May 7, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

KG521

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

12925

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop. It overran and went down and embankment before coming to a halt. While the aircraft was destroyed, all 16 occupants were rescued.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the crew adopted a wrong approach configuration, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway.