No survivors have been reported from a sightseeing aircraft, said to be a Beech 1900D turboprop operated by Nepalese carrier Buddha Air, which crashed near Kathmandu airport.
While details remain sketchy local reports suggest the aircraft had been carrying 19 occupants, and returning from a flight to view the mountain scenery when it came down south of the city.
Meteorological data from Kathmandu airport for the reported time of the accident, 07:30, indicates light rain in the vicinity and visibility of 6km, but few clouds at lower heights.
Buddha Air operates tourism flights to view the Himalaya mountain range, using Beech 1900Ds, according to the carrier's Internet site.
The carrier says it conducts these flights during the early morning hours because strong winds create "snow plumes which block the view as the day progresses".
One unconfirmed report indicated that the aircraft involved is registered 9N-AEK, which Flightglobal's ACAS database last listed as a 14-year old example leased from Raytheon Airline Aviation Services.
Buddha Air has a fleet of nine aircraft which comprises four Beech 1900Ds and five ATRs. It acquired its ninth, a second ATR 72-500, in August.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
