Bhimduttanagar, May 30: Nepal Army’s cargo aircraft crashed near the Kolti Airport in Bajura this afternoon, killing pilot Kailash Gurung. The aircraft with the call sign NA 048 crashed on a paddy field nearby the runway in course of landing.
NA warrant officers Purna Bahadur Khadka and Anita Ale have been left severely injured in the accident. Critically injured pilot Gurung was rushed to the Kolti Hospital where he breathed his last in course of treatment, according to Sub- Inspector of Police, Loksingh Bhat ,who was on duty at the airport that time.
The ill-fated aircraft en route to Simikot, Humla from Surkhet carrying foodstuffs attempted to land at the Kolti Airport after it failed to make a landing in Simikot.
Unfortunately, it veered off the runway to overturn on the paddy field. It caught fire after the fall which was doused with the help of police and locals. Injured Khadka and Ale were flown to Nepalgunj on the Sita Air’s flight. The remains of pilot Gurung were send to Nepalgunj on the same flight, according to Bhat.