Two killed as rescue chopper crashes in Nepal

Utpal Parashar, HT.com
Kathmandu, November 07, 2010

First Published: 17:15 IST(7/11/2010)
Last Updated: 17:17 IST(7/11/2010)

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Two persons were killed when a private chopper on a rescue mission crashed near the base camp of Ama Dablam (6812 m) mountain in Nepal Himalayas on Sunday morning. According to reports, the chopper belonging to Fishtail Air was on its way to the base camp to rescue two stranded Japanese climbers when it met with an accident around 9:50 am.

The pilot Sabin Basnet and flight engineer Purna Awale were killed in the accident that took place south of Mount Everest in Khumbu Valley of Solukhumbu district.

Civil aviation authority officials at Phaplu told local reporters that the accident took place when the chopper suddenly fell from high altitude while on its second flight from Lukla.

Although the exact cause of the accident has not been ascertained, it is believed that it took place due to strong winds in the valley.

Nearly three months ago, 14 people including passengers and crew were killed when a Dornier aircraft belonging to another private operator crashed while on a trip to Lukla.

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