CAAN tightens helicopter operations

KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has implemented straight regulations on helicopter flight operations throughout the country until September.

The decision follows a tragic helicopter accident in Lamjure Pass, Solukhumbu district, on Tuesday, which resulted in the loss of six lives.

In a notice published on Tuesday, CAAN stated that flight crew members, who own shares in helicopter companies, are prohibited from exercising their license privileges for all types of commercial flights. Additionally, CAAN has said that either point of origin or destination during flight operations should be aerodromes only.

Similarly, it has centralized the authority to issue permission for helicopter operations, including rescue flights, within its Air Transport Division. CAAN has also announced that this provision will be reviewed on a weekly basis to assess its effectiveness.

Furthermore, CAAN has temporarily barred non-essential flights such as mountain flights, external load operations (sling flights), and helicopter flower showers until September.

The tragic crash at Lamjure Pass on Tuesday claimed the lives of five Mexican tourists and a Nepali pilot. Inclement weather conditions have been identified as the cause of the accident.