At 28 September 2012, nineteen people died when a Dornier Aircraft 9N AHA of Sita Air crashed at the banks of Manohara River in Thimi-16 of Bhaktapur district in the Capital on Friday. The aircraft was on its way to Lukla from the Capital.19 people, including 16 passengers and three crew members died in the crash. Five Japanese, two Italian, eight British, one Nepali passenger and three Nepal crew members were on board. It is reported that the aircraft crashed within two minutes after the Aircraft Controller’s Office gave its clearance for takeoff at around 6:10 am today.
The reason of the crash has not been ascertained. However, experts claim that it could either be a case of ‘on air fire’ or it could have struck a bird on air. It has been said that the pilots could have tried to crash the aircraft in the river to minimize casualties. However, the aircraft could only reach the banks of Manohara River. Most of the deceased are tourists. Among those crew members, there were a pilot Captain Bijaya Tandukar, co-Pilot Takeshi Thapa including airhostess Ruja Shakya.
Mountain Consult Blog 