Altitude Air Helicopter Crashes in Lobuche, Solukhumbu

An Altitude Air helicopter crashed in Lobuche, Solukhumbu, on Wednesday morning. According to Chief District Officer Lilakumari KC Pandey, the helicopter slipped while landing at the Lobuche helipad.

Police Deputy Superintendent Manojit Kunwar said there were no passengers on board, only the pilot, Captain Vivek Khadka, who is safe.

Lukla Airport reported that the helicopter, with registration Alpha Mike Sera Kalsine, took off from Lukla at 7:43 AM for a rescue flight and slipped during landing at 8:15 AM. Videos on social media show tourists shouting, “The helicopter has crashed!” as the incident happened.

Altitude Air’s Executive Chairman Nima Nuru Sherpa confirmed that Captain Khadka was not seriously injured. A Kailash Air helicopter was sent from Lukla to rescue him.

Following the crash, Lukla Airport has temporarily stopped regular flights to Ramechhap and Kathmandu. Airport chief Janish Rajbhandari said, “Flights are stopped until the weather improves. Once it gets better, regular and charter helicopter flights will resume.”

Captain Khadka said, “I am fine and don’t need to go to the hospital.” Rajbhandari added, “He arrived safely in Lukla, is walking at the helipad, and his health is fine.”