On March 31, 1975, a Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter) (registration 9N-AAZ) operated by Royal Nepal Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, Nepal during takeoff. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the pilot failed to realize that a ground lock pin on one of the ailerons was still in place and not remove prior to departure. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu Airport, a single-engine airplane went out of control and crashed in a cornfield. The post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft, and all five occupants, including the wife and daughter of mountaineer Edmund Hillary, were killed.
Circumstances
Shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu Airport, while in initial climb, a single-engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames in a cornfield. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Occupants
The accident claimed the lives of all five occupants aboard. Among the victims were Louise Hillary and her 16-year-old daughter Belinda Hillary, the spouse and daughter of the famed mountaineer Edmund Hillary.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the pilot failed to realize that a ground lock pin on one of the ailerons was still in place and not removed prior to departure.