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51 fatalities

US Bangla Airlines Flight BS211 Accident (S2-AGU)

Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, NepalLanding (descent or approach)

On March 12, 2018, a De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8) (registration S2-AGU) operated by US-Bangla Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, Nepal during landing or approach. 51 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The Accident Investigation Commission determined the probable cause was disorientation and a complete loss of situational awareness by the crew. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Aircraft Accident Investigation Group of Bangladesh (AAIG, CAAB)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered S2-AGU
Aircraft registered S2-AGU. Photo: Raihan Ahmed / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On March 12, 2018, a US Bangla Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (S2-AGU) crashed after landing at Kathmandu, Nepal. The aircraft veered off the runway, killing 47 of 67 passengers and all four crew members.

Flight Details and Departure Issues On March 12, 2018, US Bangla Airlines Flight BS211, a Bombardier DHC-8-402 with registration S2-AGU, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, at 06:51 UTC. The flight was scheduled to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. During pre-departure communications, the crew experienced significant stress while confirming the mandatory Bangladesh Airspace Control (ADC) number with Dhaka Ground Control. CVR records indicated the Pilot in Command (PIC) was agitated and emotionally disturbed during these exchanges. The aircraft also engaged in unnecessary conversations with operations staff during the climb phase, further distracting the crew.

Probable cause

The Accident Investigation Commission determined the probable cause was disorientation and a complete loss of situational awareness by the crew. Contributing factors included the aircraft being offset from the proper approach path, leading to dangerous maneuvers to align with the runway. The landing was completed in desperation at very low altitude without a go-around attempt. Additional factors included improper pre-flight briefing timing, the PIC's stress and lack of sleep, a steep hierarchy between crew members, lack of simulator practice for the visual approach, and poor Crew Resource Management (CRM).
Loss of control in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 Mar 2018 De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8) accident near Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, Nepal?

On March 12, 2018, a US Bangla Airlines Bombardier DHC-8-402 (S2-AGU) crashed after landing at Kathmandu, Nepal. The aircraft veered off the runway, killing 47 of 67 passengers and all four crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 Mar 2018 De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 51 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 Mar 2018 involved a De Havilland DHC-8-400 (Dash-8), registration S2-AGU, operated by US-Bangla Airlines, at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, Nepal.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The Accident Investigation Commission determined the probable cause was disorientation and a complete loss of situational awareness by the crew. Contributing factors included the aircraft being offset from the proper approach path, leading to dangerous maneuvers to align with the runway. The landing was completed in…

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