What happened
A domestic flight operated by Yeti Airlines departed from Nepālganj Airport, destined for Jumla with a scheduled stop in Surkhet. The aircraft was transporting six passengers and three crew members, along with 941 kilograms of grain cargo. During the approach to Jumla Airport, the crew received information that runway 27 was active with light winds.
At approximately 12:01 local time, the pilot began an approach toward runway 09. During this maneuver, the aircraft traveled at an excessive speed and failed to align with the runway, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around procedure. As the plane passed to the right of the control tower, the pilot executed a sharp turn to the left. This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose both altitude and airspeed, leading to a crash in a field situated 500 meters east of the airport. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the total destruction of the twin-engine aircraft and the deaths of all 9 occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew attempted an abrupt go-around while positioned near the threshold of runway 09 at a very low altitude. The subsequent attempt to complete a tight turn with an excessive bank angle resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Because there was insufficient clearance, the crew could not recover the aircraft before it struck the terrain.
Several contributing factors were noted, including:
- Increased workload due to the sudden decision to switch runways
- A breakdown in cockpit discipline during a critical phase of flight
- Failure to adhere to company Standard Operating Procedures
- Inadequate oversight of flight operations by both airline management and civil aviation authorities