Only minor injuries in Gorkha Airlines, Nepal crash

Airline Industry Information, June 30, 2005

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

There were only minor injuries to the nine passengers and three crew members of a Gorkha Airlines aircraft that crashed near Mount Everest today (30 June).

According to the airline, the Dornier twin propeller aircraft was attempting to land when it crashed on the runway. The airport, located at Lukla, is carved from the side of a mountain and is known to be dangerous, The Associated Press reported. The airport is 2,800 metres above sea level (9,200 feet) and the end of the runway has a steep drop.

The airport is located some 200 kilometres from Kathmandu, Nepal and is the only one in the region, serving mountaineers and trekkers who aim to climb Mount Everest.

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