Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: A team of experts from aircraft manufacturer ATR have arrived in Nepal to investigate the crash of an ATR 72-500 series aircraft in Pokhara on Sunday.
The team, consisting of nine members, will investigate the accident site, examine the wreckage and hold discussions with concerned stakeholders such as the airline, air traffic control, eyewitnesses and other relevant authorities. The investigation will focus on determining the cause of the crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 68 passengers, including 15 foreign nationals, and four crew members.
As this is the first accident involving an ATR aircraft in Nepal, the manufacturer is taking the accident very seriously. It has been said that the team sent by ATR will work closely with the government-formed committee which is also investigating the accident.
The five-member committee is led by former secretary Nagendra Ghimire, and includes aviation expert Deepak Prasad Basotla, retired Captain Sunil Thapa, air maintenance expert Ekraj Jung Thapa, and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Buddhisagar Lamichhane, who serves as the member-secretary of the committee.
The committee has been given 45 days to conduct its study and make recommendations for improving safety and preventing similar incidents in the future.
