Rescue helicopter crash-lands near Everest Base Camp amid heavy snowfall in Nepal

Nepal: Altitude Air's rescue helicopter crashes near Everest base camp

A rescue helicopter operated by Nepal’s private airline Altitude Air crash-landed near the Everest Base Camp region on Wednesday morning amid heavy snowfall. Authorities stated that the aircraft was on a mission to rescue stranded trekkers when it crashed in Lobuche, in the Khumbu region.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the helicopter, bearing the call sign 9N-AMS, had taken off from Lukla without passengers and was en route to Lobuche to assist tourists trapped by severe weather.

A police officer from the Solukhumbu District Police Office said the helicopter, piloted by Captain Vivek Khadka, slipped due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility while attempting to land. “The pilot didn’t suffer any major injury, though the aircraft broke into two pieces,” the officer said.

Captain Khadka, the only person on board, was rescued shortly after the crash and flown to Lukla for medical evaluation. His condition is stable, according to officials.

The crash occurred as parts of Nepal’s Himalayan region experienced unseasonal snowstorms and rain, which have disrupted trekking and tourism activities. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast continued snowfall and rainfall in several high-altitude areas, urging trekkers to avoid travel until conditions improve.

Thousands of trekkers have been stranded across popular mountain routes, including Mustang, Annapurna, and Everest, as authorities temporarily suspended expeditions due to the hazardous conditions.

Officials noted that the weather in the region had worsened since Monday, with a cyclone moving north from the Bay of Bengal bringing another wave of snow to the Himalayas. The challenging conditions have hampered rescue efforts and raised safety concerns for mountaineers and locals alike.

Despite the damage to the helicopter, no fatalities were reported, and authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.