Overweight caused Nepal's plane crash last year: investigation

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Overweight caused Nepal's plane crash last year: investigation

(Xinhua) 19:50, September 03, 2013

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An investigation into the Sita Air plane crash which killed 19 people in Kathmandu has shown that overweight is a main cause for the disaster.

A detailed investigation report which was unveiled 11 months after the plane crash by Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has stated that the plane's takeoff performance was compromised with both passengers and cargo weight.

On Sept. 28, 2012 the plane bound for Lukla, near Mt. Everest, was crashed in the Capital city Kathmandu shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to the report obtained by Xinhua, the aircraft takeoff weight was 5,914 kg, whereas the maximum takeoff weight allowed for the Lukla flight is 5,836 kg. The aircraft load sheet recorded a takeoff weight of 5,834 kg, but this figure did not include an allowance for baggage.

The report has also recommended to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to revive the suitability of the average weights used for passengers on flights within Nepal and modify them if needed.

It has also recommended to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) to review the suitability of the average weights used for passengers on flights within Nepal and modify them if necessary. Aviation experts say CAAN should prepare a concrete measures for the monitoring of the domestic flights.

The investigation report has also recommended that CAAN should carry out periodic checks of aircraft load sheets to ensure they have been completed correctly and accurately.

（Editor：WangXin、Hongyu）