Makalu aircraft crashes

Both the pilot and the co-pilot on board were killed after a cargo aircraft of the Makalu Airlines crashed today morning at the Bahun Kharka in Humla.
The plane was flying at a height of 12,800 feet. The single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with call sign 9N-AJU had taken off from Surkhet to Humla district headquarters Simikot. It took off from Surkhet Airport at 6:12 am and was scheduled to land at 6:55 am in Simikot. But the plane had gone missing minutes before landing at the Humla airport.
The crashed aircraft was discovered nearly four hours later. According to deputy director general at Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Rajan Pokharel, the Makalu Air cargo aircraft crashed at Simikot Pass in Bahun Kharka, Humla. He said both pilot Kiran Bhattarai and co-pilot Aditya Nepali died in the crash.
Humla is one of the remotest districts in Karnali province. The district is accessible only by small aircraft.
The bodies will be airlifted to Kathmandu, an airport official said, adding that an investigation would be soon launched.
Makalu Air has three single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircrafts to its fleet. Based in Nepalgunj, Makalu Air provides chartered passenger and cargo services.
The crash – nearly two months after a US-Bangla aircraft crashed in the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) killing 51 people and injuring over a dozen – once again reminded the authorities need to improve the safety of Nepali sky.

Domestic airlines speading wings

Buddha Air adds 70-seater ATR 72-500, Makalu Air starts flying

Private airlines companies are flying high. Though the ailing national flag carrier has been in controversy over buying new aircrafts, the private ones have been adding new aircrafts.

Buddha Air has brought a new 70-seater aircraft ATR -72-500 yesterday. "The new aircraft has landed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) yesterday evening," the airlines said adding that with the addition of ATR-72-500 -- that is manufactured in coordination between France and Italy -- Buddha Air now has a total of eight aircrafts.

According to the airlines, the 70-seat aircraft will start its internal flights from Monday.

Similarly, Makalu Air -- a newly established private airlines -- has obtained Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate three Cessna Grand Caravan. "The airline will start its operations with its first aircraft based in Nepalgunj," said the Makalu Air that has successfully conducted its test landing od the new aircraft Cessna Grand Caravan at Talcha airport in Mugu district.

The test flight was conducted as per the requirement of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

Currently Makalu will focus its operations on charter passenger services and charter cargo services exclusively. "Though, its first aircraft will be based in Nepalgunj with its services focused in the western region, it looks forward to expanding its services in all the other regions of Nepal, after the arrival of its second and third aircrafts," said the company.

Cessna Grand Caravan is a single engine aircraft designed with a superior advantage and especially compatible for flights in Nepal’s high altitude, remote and short tke off landing (STOL) air fields.

Currently, six single engine aircrafts operators -- Air Kasthamandap, Tara Air, Hilander Air, Makalu Air, Untiy Air and Akash Bhairab Air -- have got the licence from the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry.