Plane Crashes Under The Shadow of Everest

A plane taxis for takeoff at the infamously sketchy Tenzing-Hilary Airport in Lukla, Nepal. Petr Meissner photo.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — The “scariest airport in the world” claimed a cargo plane Saturday after the jet attempted to land in thick fog at the infamous Tenzing-Hilary Airport in Lukla, Nepal. 

According to The Himalayan Times, the Goma Air vessel crashed after missing the airport’s runway threshold and slamming into the abrupt, steep hillside below, killing veteran Captain Paras Kumar Rai, 48, upon impact. The other two crew members survived, but after being rushed to a local hospital, co-pilot Srijan Manandhar succumbed to his injuries nearly eight hours later. The third member is currently recovering from moderate injuries.

As the closest airstrip to Mt Everest, the Tenzing-Hilary Airport is popular among climbers and has built a reputation over the years as one of the most dangerous air strips in the world due to its precipitous cliff takeoff and short runway.

After the crash, two helicopters were put on standby in Lukla to airlift the injured to Kathmandu for treatment, an official told the Himalayan Times, but the choppers were unable to transport the co-pilot due to the poor climactic conditions that had contributed to the initial crash. “The visibility in Lukla airport is nil right now,” the official added.

Rescue operation were carried out by locals, Nepali Army and Lukla law enforement, eye-witness Pasang Sherpa told The Times. “But, freak weather throughout the day restricted helicopters from airlifting the injured to Kathmandu.”

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stash member Sam Morse

TGR Editor-at-Large. author of The Ski Town Fairytale and creative behind The Bumion. Lover of steep-and-deep lines, long trails—and hot springs waiting in the distance.