Three fatalities have been confirmed as a result of a departure accident involving an Aircraft Industries Let L-410 turboprop at Nepal’s Lukla airport.
The Summit Air aircraft (9N-AMH) veered to the right during its take-off roll, entering a parking apron and collided with at least one helicopter.
Summit Air says three crew members, but no passengers, were on board the L-410. While the captain survived with injuries, the first officer did not. The carrier also identifies two other fatalities, including an inspector on ground duty at the helipad.
“Our first priority now is the well-being of the injured persons and family members of those affected by this unfortunate accident,” says Summit Air managing director Manoj Karki.
Among those injured was a captain with Manang Air, the operator of the helicopter which was struck.
Cirium Fleets Analyzer lists Manang Air as having Airbus Helicopters H125 aircraft. Images from the scene indicate the aircraft involved is 9N-ALC.
It had been parked next to another H125 provisionally identified as 9N-ALK, which Fleets Analyzer lists as belonging to Shree Airlines.
The L-410 suffered substantial damage to its cockpit, forward fuselage and wings in the collision.
Fleets Analyzer shows the aircraft is a 2013 airframe originally delivered to eastern Russian operator PANH and subsequently owned by state transport leasing firm GTLK before being handed to Summit Air in early 2017.
It also indicates that Summit Air has three other L-410s in its fleet.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
