Pilot's error amid bad weather resulted in Ghunsa chopper crash

Presenting its final report on the September 23 crash of helicopter belonging to Shri Airlines in Ghunsa region of Taplejung, the probe panel has concluded that the pilot's poor judgment to fly into clouds in an unfamiliar terrain was the main cause for the crash that killed 24 persons including a minister and several eminent conservationists.

The report prepared by the probe commission formed by the government to investigate the accident stated that the Ghunsa area was cloudy and light rainfall was occurring on the fateful day when the pilot decided to enter the cloud even though the chopper was 'not certified' for Instrumental Flight Rule (IFR).

According to aviation norms, in aircrafts that are certified only for Visual Flight Rules (VFR), it is not appropriate to fly when there is poor visibility.

The report prepared by the team led by Keshari Raj Pundit, a judge at the appellate court, further pointed out that the pilot Kim Klim was flying in that region for the first time.

The report has also concluded that the helicopter's engine and other technical mechanisms were functioning well. It also pointed at lack of pre-flight coordination among crew members.

Pundit submitted the report to the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Pradip Gyawali. According to the report, the chopper hit the hill 2 minutes and 58 seconds after it took off from Ghunsa.

The report has also made a number of recommendations to prevent such accidents in future. It has advised the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to provide effective refresher training to pilots as per the flight operation requirement and prepare daily work performance report of pilots.

The report has advised airlines to strictly abide with Visual Flight Rules when flying aircraft not certified for Instrumental Flight Rule. The report has advised the Ministry to amend its civil aviation rules, manage the accident management unit, and introduce broader policy on helicopter operation. It has also advised the government to set up weather monitoring stations in places such as Lukla, Syangboche, Taplejung, and Jomsom.

After receiving the report, Minister Gyawali handed over the report to Tourism Secretary Madhav Prasad Ghimire instructing him to implement its suggestions. nepalnews.com sd Dec 05 06

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