What happened
On July 27, 2000, a domestic passenger flight operated by Royal Nepal Airlines departed from Bajhang Airport with the intention of reaching Dhangadhi Airport. The aircraft involved was a de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, bearing the registration 9N-ABP. During the journey, the plane lost control and crashed in the Jogbuda area of the Dadeldhura District.
The impact resulted in total destruction of the airframe. Emergency responders and investigators located the wreckage shortly after the incident. The flight carried a full complement of passengers and crew, with no survivors reported from the crash site.
Investigation
Following the recovery of the debris field, Nepalese authorities initiated a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Investigators examined the crash site to determine the point of impact and the trajectory of the aircraft before it went down. The focus was placed on establishing the sequence of events that led to the loss of the aircraft in this remote region.
Findings
The investigation confirmed that all 25 individuals aboard the flight perished in the accident. This total included 22 passengers and 3 crew members. While the specific mechanical or environmental causes were not detailed in the initial reports, the fatality count was verified as complete for everyone on board. The operator, Royal Nepal Airlines, faced scrutiny regarding the safety of its domestic routes following this tragedy.