Fatal aircraft crash near Sambri River

35 fatalities • Hetauda, Nepal • Flight

A twin-engine airplane crashed into a hilltop tree during flight, resulting in the deaths of all 35 people on board.

What happened

During a flight through heavy cloud cover at an altitude of approximately 7,300 feet, a twin engine airplane collided with a tree situated atop a hill. The impact caused the aircraft to crash in the vicinity of the Sambri River, where it subsequently caught fire. There were no survivors of the accident; all 35 occupants perished in the crash.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the primary cause was controlled flight into terrain. At the time of the collision, the crew was operating in conditions with zero visibility due to low-hanging clouds. These meteorological conditions prevented the flight crew from identifying the mountain and the surrounding terrain features before the impact occurred.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck terrain because the crew could not see obstacles due to near-zero visibility caused by low cloud cover.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1969-07-12 Douglas DC-3 accident near Hetauda, Nepal?

A twin-engine airplane crashed into a hilltop tree during flight, resulting in the deaths of all 35 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1969-07-12 Douglas DC-3 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 35 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1969-07-12 involved a Douglas DC-3, registration 9N-AAP, operated by Royal Nepal Airlines, at Hetauda, Nepal.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck terrain because the crew could not see obstacles due to near-zero visibility caused by low cloud cover.

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