What happened
On March 12, 2018, flight BS2ly1, an operated Bombardier DHC-8-402 with registration S2-AGU, departed Dhaka, Bangladesh, for Kathmandu, Nepal. During the initial climb phase, the pilot in command engaged in non-essential communications with airline operations, which coincided with a period of high psychological stress and agitation noted in cockpit voice recordings.
As the aircraft approached Kathmandu, the crew received instructions to descend and hold over GURAS. Due to distractions during the approach, the crew failed to cancel the hold pattern in the Flight Management System. This led to an initial deviation from the prescribed flight path. While attempting to intercept the inbound radial for Runway 02, the aircraft drifted significantly to the right of the final approach course.
During the arrival, the aircraft's path became increasingly erratic. Despite instructions from Kathmandu Tower to join a downwind leg for Runway 02, the aircraft continued orbiting and eventually approached Runway 20. The pilot attempted an unstable landing on Runway 20 while still in a turning maneuver. The aircraft flew at an extremely low altitude, passing very close to the control tower and the domestic apron.
At 08:34 UTC, the aircraft touched down approximately 1700 meters past the threshold of Runway 20 at a significant angle and bank. The aircraft veered off the runway, breached the inner perimeter fence, and came to a stop on a downslope. A fire broke out shortly after touchdown. The accident resulted in 47 fatalities (including all 4 crew members and 45 passengers) and several injuries, with two additional passenger deaths occurring later in medical care.