Loss of situational awareness led to thecrash of Nepal Airlines Twin Otter in Masinelek in Argakhanchi District in February 2014 that killed 18 people onboard including three crew members, according to an investigation report released on Thursday.
“The pilot flew inadvertently into a whiteout, losing situational awareness and control of the aircraft following which the aircraft hit the terrain at an altitude of 7,190 ft,” stated the report submitted by government panel formed to investigate the crash .
The Canadian-made 9N-ABB, DHC-300 Twin Otter initially chopped a small tree and than hit the sloppy ridge with huge impact. “The nature of the crash was—Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT). This means, an airworthy aircraft, under pilot control, unintentionally hit the terrain,” the report added.
The report , however, ruled out initial speculation that the aircraft sustained an icing problem as the minimum temperature outside was zero Degree Celsius and there is a possibility of icing at only minus 15 Degree Celsius. The report also ruled out engine failure and other likely causes like pilots fatigue.
Aircraft was completely damaged and wreckages were scattered around 2 kilometers over and beyond the hill. The site was located on Feb 17, a day after the crash .
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