An aircraft full of trekkers headed to Mount Everest crashed in Nepal's capital, Katmandu, on Friday morning, killing all the 19 people on board. This accident is just the latest in a string of recent fatal airline accidents in Nepal, and has once-again raised questions about the safety of air travel to one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Asia.
Recent aircraft accidents in Nepal include:
- Date: May 14, 2012
“An Agni Air plane carrying Indian and Danish tourists crashed into a hill near a mountain airport in Nepal on Monday, killing 15 people, including the two pilots, †a New York Times report said.
- Sept. 25, 201 1
“Nineteen people, including three Americans, died in a plane crash in Nepal on Sunday as they headed back to the capital, Katmandu, after a sightseeing tour of the mountains, including Mount Everest, officials said, †The New York Times reported.
“The 3-member crew died in the crash of the Buddha Air flight, as did 10 Indian citizens, 2 Nepalis and a Japanese citizen, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal at the Tribhuvan International Airport, which is not far from the crash site.†- 15, Dec. 2010
A Twin Otter flying with 19 pilgrims “crashed in a forest in eastern Nepal, killing all on board, including the three crew members as well,†The Times of India reported. - Aug. 24, 2010
“Fourteen people, including four Americans, died Tuesday in Nepal when their plane crashed in inclement weather, after a failed attempt to reach a popular destination for touring hikers near Mount Everest, according to Nepali officials,†The New York Times reported. - Oct. 8, 2008
“A small airplane crashed and caught fire Wednesday as it tried to land in foggy weather at a tiny mountain airport near Mount Everest, killing 18 people, including 16 tourists from Germany, Australia and Nepal, officials said,†The Associated Press reported. “Only the pilot survived.†- March 3, 2008
“A United Nations helicopter has crashed in stormy weather in Nepal, killing all 10 people on board, †The Associated Press reported. - Sept. 23, 2006
“Nepal ordered an investigation Tuesday into a helicopter crash that killed 24 people, including a cabinet minister and several top international conservationists,†a New York Times report said. - Aug. 22, 2002
“A small plane carrying foreign tourists slammed into a mountain about 90 miles northwest of the capital, Kathmandu, killing all 18 people on board including 15 foreign tourists,†The New York Times reported.
