Civil Aviation
Report says that Pilots mistakenly cutting power caused Nepal plane crash
According to a government-appointed inquiry panel’s report, “pilot error” was the cause of the Yeti Airlines crash that occurred in Nepal earlier in 2023. Seventy-two people, including five Indians, perished in Nepal’s worst aviation accident in thirty years.
The investigation report stated that the pilots’ error in cutting power caused both condition levers to be accidentally moved, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and the crash of the Yeti Airlines aircraft.
The report stated that neither pilot’s 72-hour history pointed to fatigue or health problems as contributing factors to the deadly error. “It was reported that both pilots consumed typical meals, went to bed, and woke up at typical times,” the report stated.
There were no overdue maintenance tasks on the twin-engine aircraft, indicating that it had been properly maintained.
Additionally, the report mentioned that it was concluded that the accidental shifting of both condition levers to the feathered position during flight was the most likely cause of the accident. Due to the propellers’ feathering, there was a loss of thrust, which caused the aircraft to aerodynamically stall and eventually crash.