A helicopter of Kathmandu-based Air Dynasty Heli Service Pvt Ltd crash-landed in Khotang on Wednesday.

The helicopter, with call sign 9N-AFQ, had taken off from Kathmandu on Wednesday morning carrying five passengers. It met with an accident at 11:51 am during landing at a helipad in Belabesi village of Khotang, said authorities.

One passenger, Kaji Bahadur Rai, was injured in the incident, while other passengers and crew members, including the pilot, Sabin Thapa, escaped the crash safely, according to the company. Another helicopter, with call sign 9N-ANA, has been dispatched to the site for rescue, the company said.

Strong winds or dust are suspected to be the preliminary cause of the accident.

“The wind speed was somewhat high during landing, and there was dust. It may have affected visibility and caused an imbalance. The exact cause will be known only after a technical investigation,” the company manager, Bal Krishna Pandit said. 

Further details are awaited, and authorities are preparing to begin an investigation.

Source: Kathmandu post