Miscommunication blamed for Nepal crash

Miscommunication between air traffic control andthe pilot of US-Bangla Flight BS 211 is being blamed for the fatal plane crash on Sunday in Kathmandu that killed at least 51 people and injured 20.

According to the Nepal’s civil aviation authority, the plane was permitted to land in Kathmandu airport from Runway 02 in the southern side but all of a sudden it changed its alignment and took a left turn, proceeding towards Runway 20, the northern-end of the airport.

The radio conversation stated that the aircraft was about to approach and other pilots sitting in the Nepali aircraft were heard warning the ATC that the US-Bangla pilot seemed disoriented.

But the CEO of US-Bangla disagreed with the the logic given by Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. Imran Asif claimed the ATC passed incorrect information to the pilot, leading to the crash, Bangladeshi media reported.

“The pilot, Captain Abid Sultan is alive and not at fault. He is a very skilled pilot and we have not even had any technical malfunctions over three years,” he said.

In the tape of the conversation, an ATC was heard saying: “I say again, do not proceed towards Runway 20.”

The pilot replied: “Ok we are making an orbit towards right.” After a few seconds, the pilot again replies, “right…holding for runway 02. ”

The ATC reacted: “That’s good, but do not land. Traffic is not… there is another aircraft on approach.”

Then the ATC directed the pilot that runway is vacated and asked him to choose to land either runway 02 or 20.

“We would like to land on 20,” the pilot replied, and instructed the crew to prepare for landing.

Then the pilot was asked whether the runway is in sight or not due to low visibility. The pilot replied” negative”. Then the ATC urged him to turn right.

Then the pilot said he could see the runway saying” affirmative”.

KATHMANDU: