Nepal DHC6 near Khidim on Feb 16th 2014, aircraft impacted terrain

A Nepal Airlines de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, registration 9N-ABB performing flight RA-183 from Pokhara to Jumla (Nepal) with 15 passengers and 3 crew, departed Pokhara at 12:43L (06:58Z) but radio contact was lost a few minutes later. The aircraft did not arrive at Jumla at the estimated time of arrival (13:45L), a search was initiated though hampered by weather. Local residents reporting a burning object and a helicopter located the burning wreckage of the aircraft in the jungles near Khidim a few flight minutes, about 40nm, from Pokhara. There have been no indications of survivors.

District Officials reported that helicopters are currently not able to land at the crash site due to weather conditions. Rescue personnel are underway on the ground to reach the crash site at the corner of three districts: Gulmi, Palpa and Argakhanchi. One foreigner, Danish citizen, is on board of the aircraft.

Officials reported the weather conditions and visibility around Pokhara were "fair" at the time of the accident indicating visibility was at around 7km.

Pokhara Airport reported the aircraft had been talking to Siddharthanagar's Bhairahawa Airport south of Khidim at 13:13L, which proved to be the last radio contact.

No Metars are available for the airports of Pokhara or Siddharthanagar, the local weather station of Pokhara reported visibility of 5km, 13 degrees C with dew point at 10 degrees C and 75% humidity at 11:45L and 8km, 14 degrees C, dew point at 8 degrees C and 56% humidity at 14:45L. Both observations report light winds and partially cloudy. The local weatherstation at Siddharthanagar reported at 11:45L: 3km visibility, light mist, 16 degrees C, dew point 14 degrees C, 84% humidity, light wind, no clouds, at 14:45L the station reported: visibility 6km, 19 degrees C, dew point 12 degrees C, 52% humidity, southerly winds.

Map (Graphics: AVH/Google Earth):