Two helicopters collided while approaching the same helipad near Mount Everest in Nepal on Tuesday morning, killing one tourist and injuring three other people, including both pilots.
The accident occurred at approximately 08:11 local time at Pheriche helipad, in the Solukhumbu district. The aircraft involved were two Airbus AS350 helicopters, operated by Fishtail Air (9N-AJR) and Air Dynasty (9N-AOD).
The Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying two foreign tourists returning from Gorakshep, while the Air Dynasty aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Lukla. Their rotor blades struck each other as they approached the helipad from opposite directions.
An Indian tourist, identified as 47-year-old Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, died in the accident. A New Zealand passenger and both pilots sustained injuries and received medical treatment.
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that miscommunication between the pilots may have contributed to the collision. Pheriche helipad is outside the coverage of Lukla Airport’s air traffic control tower, meaning pilots must coordinate their movements directly.
The incident occurred during Nepal’s busy autumn trekking season, when helicopters are frequently used to transport tourists, supplies and rescue climbers in the Everest region.