Article Posted on : - Oct 08, 2008

Twin Otter is among the most trusted aircraft for mountain airstrips

KATHMANDU: Eighteen people, mostly foreign trekkers to the world's tallest mountain Mount Everest, were killed when a small Nepalese private airliner crashed early this morning at Lukla in Northeastern Nepal.

The Twin Otter aircraft of the Yeti Airlines hit the airport boundary fence while approaching for landing in bad weather conditions at 7.35 am (local time), according to state-run Nepal TV.

The aircraft was carrying 19 people including 3 crew members.

While 18 were killed on the spot, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft Captain Surendra Kunwar survived, but was stated to be in critical condition at the TU Teaching Hospital were he was rushed.

The plane was carrying as many as 14 foreign tourists and 4 Nepalese. These included 12 Germans and two Australians.

The Kathmandu-Lukla flight is more popularly known as Everest flight as it ferries tourists who want to see Mount Everest from close or to take part in treks around its base camp.