CAAN Director General Adhikari ‘banned’ from entering Prime Minister's Office

Published On: August 9, 2024 12:45 PM NPT By: Enika Rai

Eight aircraft accidents in 31 months, resulting in 123 deaths

KATHMANDU, Aug 9: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has prohibited Pradeep Adhikari, the director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), from entering the PMO. The ban comes after growing disputes over delays in rescue operations following aircraft accidents at the airport and dissatisfaction with the aviation authority's plans. Despite Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's directive to stay away from the PMO, Director General Adhikari has continued to attempt visits. Sources close to the prime minister revealed that although Adhikari has been visiting the PM’s government-provided residence at Baluwatar, he has been unable to meet the prime minister.

"Due to the shortcomings observed in the rescue operations following the aircraft accident at the airport in Kathmandu recently, the prime minister is extremely dissatisfied with him," a source close to the prime minister said. "The prime minister is also dissatisfied with his controversial image and CAAN’s plans." The source indicated that Director General Adhikari's controversial image and the PM’s dissatisfaction with his performance have led to the ‘ban’ on his entry to the PMO.

When Adhikari took over as the director general of CAAN in February 2023, he had stated that his youthful and dynamic leadership would change the public perception of CAAN and enhance its legacy. He had committed to working with CAAN’s staff to make the organization a prestigious institution and enhance its capabilities. However, since taking office, both Adhikari and CAAN have consistently been mired in controversies.

He has been accused of focusing more on personal gains by making CAAN favorable to himself rather than enhancing its capabilities. As the director general of CAAN, he has been accused of neglecting aviation safety and financial mismanagement in airport contracts. On July 25, during a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of parliament, lawmakers demanded the suspension of Director General Adhikari.

The day after the Saurya Airlines aircraft accident, a meeting was called, during which Nepali Congress MP Udaya Shumsher Rana suggested that since an inquiry commission had already been established to investigate the accident, it would be a conflict of interest. Therefore, he recommended that the government suspend the Director General of CAAN.

MP Rana pointed out that since Director General Adhikari took office, there have been seven aircraft accidents, criticizing Adhikari for always shifting the blame onto others instead of taking the moral responsibility for the accidents. He also questioned Adhikari's capability.

"If this had happened in other countries, the leadership would have either resigned or been removed by the government," MP Rana said. "Therefore, it is time to consider changing the leadership of CAAN."

While aircraft accidents continue, some experts have raised questions about Nepal's aviation infrastructure. The recent helicopter crash of Air Dynasty, just 14 days after the Saurya Airlines accident on July 24, has raised serious concerns about Nepal's aviation sector worldwide.

According to CAAN, there have been 109 aircraft accidents in the history of aviation in Nepal. These accidents, involving both small and large aircraft, have resulted in 964 deaths. Of these, 379 fatalities were from 10 accidents involving foreign-registered aircraft, 25 fatalities were from 8 accidents involving Nepali single-engine planes, 451 fatalities were from 50 fixed-wing aircraft accidents, and 97 fatalities were from 41 helicopter accidents, totaling 964 deaths.

Lawmaker Rana said, "In his two-and-a-half-year tenure, there have been eight aircraft accidents and 123 deaths. This clearly demonstrates the director general’s incompetence."

In February 2023, the government appointed Adhikari as the director general of CAAN, sidelining senior officials. Since taking office, Adhikari has overseen eight aircraft accidents during his 18-month tenure.

On May 29, 2022, a Tara Airlines Twin Otter aircraft, registration number 9N-AET, crashed in Jomsom. The plane, en route from Pokhara to Jomsom, was found in a wrecked condition at the base of the Manapathi Himal in Mustang. The aircraft had collided with a cliff in Sanusare, Thasang Rural Municipality, Mustang. There were 22 people on board, including crew members.

The aircraft had 16 Nepali, four Indian, and two German passengers onboard. All 22 people on the plane, including the three crew members and 19 passengers, were killed. In response, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation formed a five-member Accident Investigation Commission to investigate the cause of the Tara Air crash.

The investigation report released by the commission, chaired by Senior Aeronautical Engineer Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, concluded that the accident was caused by human error rather than technical issues or weather conditions. The report indicated that despite knowing about the adverse weather, the plane flew under visual flight rules (VFR) and collided with a ridge.

On July 11, 2023, a Manang Air Airbus helicopter crashed. The Airbus H125 helicopter crashed in Chihandanda, Lamjura, in Solukhumbu. All six people on board, including the pilot, were killed in the accident.

In 2023, a Simrik Air 9N-AMI, H125 (AS350 B3e) Airbus Helicopter, crashed in Siprung, Makalu Barun National Park in Sankhuwasabha. The helicopter was transporting materials needed for Arun Hydropower's soil, stone, and concrete laboratory from a location called Gola. During the flight, the helicopter crashed in Siprung, Ward-4 of Bhotkhola Rural Municipality. The accident resulted in one death and four injuries.

On January 14, 2024, a Yeti Airlines ATR-72, registration number 9N-ANC, crashed in Pokhara. The aircraft, carrying 68 passengers and four crew members from Kathmandu to Pokhara, crashed into the Seti Gorge in Pokhara. The report indicates that all 72 people on board, including the four crew members, died in the crash and subsequent fire.

In response, the government formed a five-member investigation commission to probe the Yeti Airlines plane crash. The commission, chaired by former Secretary Nagendra Prasad Ghimire, included expert members. The investigation report concluded that the Yeti Airlines crash in Pokhara was caused by human error.

On July 24, 2024, a Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 aircraft, which was en route from Kathmandu to Pokhara, crashed during takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport. The aircraft lost balance immediately after takeoff and fell to the ground. Following the crash, a fire broke out on the aircraft. The CRJ-200 was being transported from Kathmandu to Pokhara for a comprehensive check (C-check) when the accident occurred at Tribhuvan International Airport. Out of the 19 people on board, 18 were killed in the crash.

Similarly, the government formed a five-member commission to investigate the Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 aircraft crash, with Ratish Chandra Lal Suman as the chairperson. Just 14 days after the recent Saurya Airlines crash, an Air Dynasty helicopter with registration 9N-Alpha Juliet Delta crashed in August 2024.

When the helicopter flying from Kathmandu to Syafru Besi in Rasuwa crashed, all five occupants were killed at the scene. The helicopter crashed in Sunyachaur, Shivpuri Rural Municipality-7, Nuwakot. Along with pilot Arun Malla, the other four people on board also died. The CAAN reported that, apart from pilot Malla, the four deceased were all Chinese nationals.

In the meantime, the government has formed an investigation commission to look into the helicopter crash. The Cabinet meeting has formed a commission led by Senior Pilot Subhash Thapa of the Nepali Army. The commission also includes members Bishnu Basnet and Tanuja Pokhrel. In addition to these, several other accidents have occurred during his 31-month tenure. While he has stated that he will not comment on the recent Saurya Airlines crash and that the investigation committee's findings will provide the accurate details, he has mentioned pilot error in the meeting of the committee regarding the Air Dynasty helicopter crash.