Passengers Were On Their Way To The Mt. Everest Region

A small passenger airliner with 14 people on board has gone down in poor weather near Katmandu. The 11 passengers on board the aircraft were on their way to Lukla near Mt. Everest, a popular spot for hikers. There are reportedly no survivors. CNN reports that, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal there are four Americans, one Japanese, and one British citizen among the casualties. The others on board the plane, including the crew, were Nepalese citizens, according to The Times of India.

The aircraft, reportedly a Dornier 228 operated by Agni Air, went down in very rugged terrain about 0715 local time near Shikharpur, about 50 miles south of Katmandu. The flight was attempting to return to Katmandu due to very heavy rain along the route of flight, but the Los Angeles Times reports that the flight was unable to land at the capital, and was enroute to its alternate airport in Simra when the accident occurred. The terrain and weather are reportedly making it difficult for rescuers to reach the crash site. Multiple sources including Fox News report that the area is accessible only by foot, and that the most direct route is blocked by a river flooded by a monsoon.

One witness said the airplane broke into several pieces when it impacted the ground, and that there were parts of the aircraft "scattered" on a hillside.

FMI: www.caanepal.org.np