Nepal Airlines Corporation Twin Otter was found in Masine Lek, Khachikot, Arghakhachi. The aircraft met an accident killing 18 people on board. At around 9 am the aircraft which going Jumla via Pokhara was spotted by Nepali Army chopper at an altitude of 7000 feet. According to the Deputy Director, TIA’s Rescue Coordination Center, Bimalesh Karna, the chopper reached the site after the rescue team knew.
The aircraft was missing since 1:13 pm yesterday. According to the Chief of Chandannanth Battalion of Myal Pokhari, Ramkaji Rana Magar the bodies of the passengers are burnt. The locals also helped the rescue team and the operation by cutting down the trees in order to make some clean areas for the chopper to land safely.
The team led by Rana Magar of NA Chandannanth Battalion were also assisting the police and force from Kapilvastu. The bodies of crew members and passengers had taken to Kathmandu with helicopterat 2:30pm and for the post-mortem the bodies are sent to TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj. According to Ram Hari Sharma, spokesperson of NAC the cockpit voice recorder has broght to their office.
The plane took off at 12:43 pm from Pokhara and Pilot Shanker Shrestha had communication with control tower of Bhairahawa airport at 1:13pm when he reported the the aircraft needs to be diverted due to poor weather conditions.