LIFE IS CHEAP IN NEPAL

Nepal air crash probe begins

5:30 AM Sunday Sep 30, 2012

The Sita Air crash scene near Kathmandu. Photo / AP

Police have handed over to accident investigators the black box data recorder of a plane that crashed on the outskirts of the Nepalese capital, killing all 19 people on board.

The twin-propeller Sita Air plane had just taken off from Kathmandu and was headed to Lukla, gateway to Mt Everest, when it plunged into the banks of a river near the city's airport around daybreak.

Among the dead were seven Britons, five Chinese and seven local passengers and crew.

National police spokesman Binod Singh said it had been difficult to identify the bodies and DNA tests may be carried out before they are returned to relatives.

The British group, the youngest of whom was 27 and the oldest 60, had been due to go on a 16-day trek to three high passes and the Everest Base Camp.

Although the exact cause of the crash is still unclear, the manager of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu said the pilot had reported hitting a bird of prey, thought to be a vulture or kite, moments before the crash . . . .

More in the NZ Herald

Peter’s Piece

Nepal has an abysmal air safety record with six crashes that killed 96 people in the last two years.

Whatever your mode of transport in Nepal, it will be dangerous.

Meanwhile, road safety in Nepal is no better and terrorism is also a major threat.

Tourism in Nepal has declined sharply due to safety concerns and the inability of the Nepalese government and people to turn the situation around.

Only backpackers and adventurers come away from Nepal pleased with their experience. Opinions were not obtained from those who died during the experience.

According to David Millward, Transport Editor for the Telegraph, poor training and weak regulation has added to the danger faced by air passengers in a country whose mountainous environment would be challenging for the most skilled pilots.

On the roads many bus and truck drivers are unlicensed and vehicles are frequently overloaded.