A shocking video showed the moment when two helicopters crashed while trying to land near Mount Everest. The incident occurred at the Pheriche helipad in Solukhumbu district, Nepal, a common stop for trekkers en route to Everest Base Camp. This footage, which circulated widely online, led many viewers to express disbelief about the event and raised concerns regarding helicopter safety in such a challenging aviation environment.
The collision reportedly took place around 8:11 a.m. local time on November 3 at the Pheriche helipad, located at an elevation of about 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Although Pheriche is not the final destination of Everest Base Camp, it serves as an important acclimatization point for trekkers before ascending higher. The area includes a medical facility operated by the Himalayan Rescue Association, which offers help to those facing altitude sickness. Helicopters are often utilized for transporting supplies, assisting trekkers, and conducting medical evacuations. Some visitors even use helicopters to make their return trip shorter after trekking toward Everest Base Camp.
Flying in this mountainous region presents significant difficulties. The thin air at high altitudes can impact the lifting capacity of rotor blades and the performance of engines, creating tighter margins for pilots when maneuvering aircraft. A viral video captured the helicopters approaching closely before their rotor blades collided.
According to Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority, the crash happened when the rotors of the two helicopters hit each other as they were both landing at Pheriche helipad. The helicopters were operated by two private companies, Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty. One helicopter, registered as 9N-AJR from Fishtail Air, was carrying passengers, while the other, registered as 9N-AOD from Air Dynasty, was on a cargo flight with about 300 kilograms of supplies and no passengers.
The incident was recorded by local webcams and CCTV cameras at the helipad, with tourists also capturing footage of the aftermath. The widely shared videos show both helicopters descending toward the snowy landing area before their rotor blades made contact. Following the collision, both aircraft became unstable and crashed to the ground. Nearby individuals were seen fleeing from the wreckage, with some returning to aid those injured in the crash.
The crash resulted in the death of one passenger, identified as Vasanth Kumar Balaramaramadu, a 47-year-old Indian national from Chennai. Another passenger, Shailesh Krishna Patel, a 49-year-old New Zealand citizen of Indian descent, was seriously injured and was subsequently evacuated by helicopter to Mediciti Hospital in Kathmandu for treatment. Along with the deceased, three others, which included the pilots, were also injured in the incident.
What are your thoughts on helicopter travel in challenging environments like this?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Gabija Saveiskyte