Tara Air Crash in Mustang

The newest reports on the Tara air crash in Mustang hills have left me startled and unable to find the right words to express my feelings. According to the reports, a Twin Otter aircraft with the call sign 9N-AET left Pokhara towards Jomsom, Mustang at 9:55 in the morning, and at 10:07 in the morning, it was reported that the aircraft had lost communication. The remains of the plane were found on Monday morning, 19 hours after it was reported missing by air traffic controllers.

Tragically, it was found that all 22 passengers had perished. Some people believe it was because of the geographical position and the poor weather condition, but the true cause of the crash won’t be known until after the inquiry has been completed. The cause of the crash is still unknown and is currently being investigated by the authority. The dreadful occurrence that took place has caused the entire globe to be in a state of shock, and the families of those who have lost loved ones as a result of this calamity are in our thoughts and prayers.

Tara air crash in Mustang

Rescue operations are never easy, and specially at high altitude. When Lam Babu Sherpa, president of the NMIA, reached out for our help with a search and recovery mission, I was immediately ready to assist. There’s something profoundly meaningful about saving lives, and that’s what drives me.

Recently, I was involved in recovering three french climbers from Mingbo Eiger, a peak in the Everest region. Having participated in numerous high-altitude rescue operations and training sessions, I felt well-prepared for the challenge.

Once our president, Norbu Sherpa, called on IFMGA members, all friends and colleagues swiftly answered the call to join the mission. The team assembled is listed below:

  • Riten Jangbu Sherpa (NNMGA)
  • Pasang Tendi Sherpa (NNMGA)
  • Narendra Shahi (NNMGA)
  • Prakash Gurung (NNMGA)
  • Anup Gurung (NNMGA)
  • Vinayak Jaya Malla (NNMGA)
  • Pemba Tenzing Lama
  • Ongchhu Sherpa
  • Pasang Nuru Sherpa
  • Kami Dorje Sherpa
  • Rapke Sherpa (Tara Air)
  • Pemba Sherpa (Tara Air)

We quickly assembled our team and rescue equipment, knowing it would be a challenging mission. A local Yarsha Gumba collector discovered the wreckage of the aircraft by following the odor of aviation fuel. He informed the local authorities about the bodies scattered among the debris. The wreckage, from the Tara Air crash in Mustang, was found at an elevation of 4,200 meters, about a four-hour uphill trek from the center of Thasang Village Municipality.

Our team was the first to reach the crash site, navigating extremely dangerous terrain. Fog and poor visibility further complicated the rescue effort. The primary goal was to recover the bodies of the passengers and crew and transport them to Kathmandu as quickly as possible. The next priority was to locate the black box and hand it over to the appropriate authorities.

Tara Air Crash in Mustang

All the mountain guides volunteered to search for and recover the bodies of the missing passengers and crew. A Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopter was deployed to locate the accident site and reach the remote location. This lightweight chopper, ideal for high-altitude work, is capable of performing operations in the dark and has night-vision capabilities.

Alongside villagers and members of NNMGA, the Nepal Army and Police also played a crucial role at the crash site. The joint team recovered the bodies from the difficult terrain, identified them, and transported them to the base station. The bodies were then transferred to Kathmandu for autopsies.

The Nepal government must be well prepared for future rescue missions, ensuring rescue team arrive within the crucial “golden hour” after an accident. The Tara Air Crash in Mustang highlights the urgent need for a dedicated rescue team in Nepal, as more accidents are likely due to challenging geographical and weather conditions. A dedicated rescue team can boost tourists’ confidence in adventure tourism.

Tara Air Crash in Mustang highlights the urgent need of dedicated mountain rescue team in Nepal.

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