According to Jhabindra Bhattarai, police inspector at Baidam ward police office, pilot Stephan Shrestha, 35, and Liun Jin, 33, a Chinese tourist, were killed in the accident. The ill-fated 9N-AJY light aircraft operated by Avia Club Nepal crashed near Shanti Stupa at Pumdibhudi VDC-1, abutting the Pokhara valley at around 9.35 am. [break]
The locals arrived at the accident site in no time for the rescue. Chinese tourist Liun was killed on the spot while Shrestha breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Charak hospital.
Local eyewitness informed that the aircraft had hit power line before nose-diving onto the paddy field and crashing. Surya Bahadur BK, one of the eyewitnesses, informed that the aircraft had lost its balance and was making circles in the air before crashing.
“Two light aircraft took off simultaneously. One of them turned toward Pokhara while other fell off the ground in the course of making a turn to follow the first aircraft,” said BK.
Pratap Babu Tiwari, the chief of Pokhara airport, informed that the reason behind the crash has yet to be deciphered. “An investigation into the accident will reveal the reason behind the crash,” informed Tiwari.
Sixteen years ago Avia Club Nepal had started to operate light aircraft flights in Pokhara. According to Prabin Gauchan, the manager of Avia club, the crashed aircraft was brought to Pokhara one and a half years ago.
Chinese consul Fu Tiesherg who reached the spot immediately after the accident said he was saddened by the death of a compatriot.
According to Avia Club Nepal, deceased pilot Shrestha was the most proficient in flying ultralight aircraft. Shrestha, who was one of the operators of the ultralight aircraft in Pokhara had been flying since the beginning.
Gautam Baral, Pokhara station manager of Buddha Air, informed that pilot Shrestha had booked an air ticket to Kathmandu for 1 pm for Wednesday. However, Shrestha had deferred the ticket for Thursday citing some important business. According to Baral, Shrestha called his office Thursday and requested to cancel the air ticket.
“He ranged me up at the morning and requested to cancel the ticket informing that he was unable to go to Kathmandu this time,” said Gautam. “That was the last time I heard from him. He was very amiable person.” Gautam added.
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