Crash of Yeti Airlines Flight 691 on January 15, 2023

Crash of Yeti Airlines Flight 691 on January 15, 2023

A Whirlwind in the Skies: Yeti Airlines Flight 691 Crash

Let's take a chit-chat about the unfortunate incident that took place on the 15th of January, 2023, involving Yeti Airlines Flight 691. This flight, an ATR72 aircraft, was on its way from Kathmandu to Pokhara when it took an abrupt turn downhill, crashing 2 km WNW of Pokhara International Airport. On board were 4 crew members and 68 passengers, making it a tragic day for all involved.

The flight took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:33 am, but it never made it to its destination. The crash site was on the bank of the Seti Gandaki River, during the final approach to landing at Pokhara International Airport. The accident marks a bleak chapter in Nepal's aviation history, being the country's worst since the crash of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 268 in 1992, and the deadliest in Nepalese domestic aviation. It also stands as the deadliest accident involving an ATR 72.

Yeti Airlines Flight 691 - ATR72-500

The plane in question was a 15-year-old twin-engine turboprop ATR 72-500, with serial number 754 and registration 9N-ANC. Reports suggest that the plane was facing technical difficulties before the crash. A spokesperson from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal commented, "Weather was clear, and according to preliminary information, the cause of the crash is the technical issue with the plane."

The rugged terrain and poor weather conditions hampered the immediate deployment of search and rescue teams to the crash site. Retrieving the bodies of the victims was a formidable task. On the 16th of January, both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were located and found to be in good condition. Their content would be analyzed in Nepal (voice recorder) and in France (data recorder).

The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently being carried out by the Nepalese Civil Aviation Authority. The families of the victims received condolences and support from both the airline and the government shortly after the tragedy. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the imperative of upholding high safety standards in the aviation industry.

As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and we urge patience as we unravel the chain of events that led to this unfortunate incident.

Behind the Scenes: Insights Gained from the Investigation

While the investigation is still ongoing, some key findings have emerged. Preliminary reports suggest that the crash was caused by a cockpit error, specifically related to engine power, leading to the aircraft losing control mid-air[1]. The recovery of the black boxes proved crucial, yielding valuable data for investigators[2]. Despite these findings, the investigation continues to delve deeper into the data from the black boxes and other evidence to paint a comprehensive picture of the events leading to the crash[2].

Sources:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64280480
2. https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/
3. https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/01/15/nepal-plane-rolling-yeti-airlines-crash-pokhara-vpx.cnn
4. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20230115-0

[1] Cheng, Z. (2023, January 15). Nepal plane crash: What we know so far. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/15/nepal-plane-crash-what-we-know-so-far

[2] Fortune, A. (2023, January 15). Search and rescue teams arrive at crash site of Yeti Airlines Flight 691. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/search-rescue-teams-arrive-crash-site-yeti-airlines/story?id=92205441

[3] Rizk, A. (2023, January 15). Nepal plane crash: Nepal's aviation safety record. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64280480

1. The aviation investigation revealed preliminary findings suggesting that the crash was due to a cockpit error related to engine power, leading to the aircraft losing control mid-air.
2. The financial repercussions of this tragic incident in the aviation industry are yet to be evaluated, but it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high safety standards in transportation sectors, including the automotive and energy industries.
3. Despite the industry's efforts to ensure passenger safety, accidents like Yeti Airlines Flight 691 underscore the need for continuous improvement in maintenance and technology within the aviation industry, particularly for older aircraft models like the ATR 72-500.

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