CCTV footage captures the moment the two helicopters collide while attempting to land at the helipad.

Indian killed as 2 helicopters collide mid-air in Nepal, video captures accident

A 47-year-old Indian national was killed and a 53-year-old New Zealand citizen of Indian origin injured after two helicopters collided while attempting to land at a helipad in Nepal's Solukhumbu district.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Helicopters collided while landing at helipad in Nepal's Solukhumbu
  • Indian national was killed and another person of Indian origin injured
  • The helicopters were operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air

One Indian national was killed and another person of Indian origin injured when two helicopters collided while attempting to land at a helipad in Nepal's Solukhumbu district, around 250 km from Kathmandu, on Tuesday morning.

The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Indian national Vasant Kumar Balara Madu, while the injured person is 53-year-old Shailesh Kishan Patel, a New Zealand citizen of Indian origin.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the rotor blades of the two aircraft struck each other as they approached the helipad to land. The collision involved helicopters operated by Fishtail Air and Dynasty Air at the Pheriche helipad.

CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, capturing the moment the helicopters came dangerously close before their rotor blades collided.

DSP Nabinraj Budhathoki of the Solukhumbu District Police Office said the accident occurred as both helicopters were landing at the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Pheriche helipad.

The deceased was a foreign national, but their identity and nationality have not yet been established, police said. The body was later transported to Lukla in a helicopter.

Another person injured in the collision was airlifted by another helicopter for medical treatment.

Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer with the aviation authority, confirmed the collision and said officials were gathering further details about the incident.

Further details about the circumstances surrounding the collision are awaited.

Small helicopters are widely used across Nepal to ferry tourists and mountaineers, transport supplies and conduct emergency rescues.

- Ends