New helicopter safety regulations introduced

Kathmandu: In order to avert unprecedented helicopter mishap in future, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has introduced and implemented a new helicopter safety regulations.

The CAAN moves and decisions come drastically in a bid to ensure and strengthen the helicopter flights safety after Manang Chopper crashed in Solukhumb that killed all 6 people on board yesterday.

The newly introduced helicopter safety regulations will entail a team to monitor, control and supervise the helicopter flights  and short take off and landing (STOL) operations daily.

Another regulation about flight safety is that an aerodrome should be either the point of origin or destination during the helicopter operations which means helicopters can no longer land or take off from non-controlled aerodrome locations, such as rooftops, helipads, or even open fields.

Next instructions is that the Air Transport Department should ensure that all helicopter flights are carried out after strict review and approval for take off.

The new restriction also bar helicopters to engage in non-essential flights such as sling flights, mountain flights and showering flowers.

According to a data disclosed by the CAAN, at least 35 helicopter crashes occurred in Nepal so far of which four fatal crashes were reported in 2023 alone.