Kathmandu-An investigation into the crash of an Altitude Air Airbus AS350B3e helicopter at Lobuche has found that pilot overcorrection, weak operational control, and unsafe landing conditions combined to cause the accident.

The final report states the helicopter was airworthy and the pilot was licensed, medically fit, and experienced, with no technical faults detected before the flight.

However, the flight lacked proper risk planning, as the pilot did not receive a structured pre-flight or pre-landing briefing on weather and helipad conditions. At the Lukla sub-base, key personnel such as dispatchers and operations managers were absent during a high-activity period, which weakened real-time operational support.

Investigators found that the Lobuche helipad was fully covered with fresh snow, reducing visual contrast and depth perception, while no ground staff or marshallers were present to assist with the landing.

During a no-hover landing, the helicopter became unstable as the skids touched uneven ground.

As the pilot attempted to correct the imbalance, rotor wash lifted loose snow and created whiteout conditions, causing a loss of visual reference. The main rotor then struck the ground, leading the helicopter to topple.

The report identifies the probable cause as an overcorrection by the pilot while attempting to stabilise the aircraft on a snow-covered helipad without visual cues.

It also cites contributing factors including rotor-wash-induced whiteout, lack of ground support and visual markers, uneven landing terrain, and ineffective operational oversight at Lukla.

The investigation has issued nine safety recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and helicopter operators, calling for stricter operational oversight, mandatory pre-flight risk assessments, improved crew briefings, deployment of ground support staff at remote helipads, installation of standard visual markers, and the development of clear operating guidelines for flights in snowy and high-altitude conditions.