A brief moment of panic unfolded in Lobuche when a rescue helicopter crash-landed on Wednesday morning. The rescue helicopter belonging to Altitude Air skidded and crashed while landing at the snow-covered helipad near Mount Everest. Fortunately, no human casualties were reported.
The helicopter, with the call sign Alpha Mike Sierra, had taken off from Lukla at 8:15 a.m. to rescue trekkers stranded by heavy snowfall on Tuesday night. But as it attempted to land at the Lobuche helipad, the icy surface caused the chopper to slip, and its tailfin struck the ground.
“During the landing, the helicopter slipped and its tail part was damaged. Fortunately, pilot Bibek Khadka is safe — and that’s the best news,” said Chief District Officer Lila Kumari KC Pandey.
According to her, the helicopter remains at the crash site. “Due to heavy snowfall and adverse weather, it’s not possible to reach Lobuche right now. The helicopter is lying on the snow upended, making it unfit for flight,” she added.
Pilot Khadka was the only person on board at the time of the incident. He was later rescued by another helicopter and flown to Lukla. “We arranged for an immediate rescue, and it’s a great relief that the pilot is safe,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Manojit Kunwar, chief of District Police Office, Solukhumbu.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal said all helicopter and fixed-wing flights in the Khumbu region have been suspended since Wednesday morning due to poor weather. Flights will remain grounded until conditions improve. -- RSS
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