Two helicopters collide near Mount Everest, killing one tourist

Two helicopters collided while trying to land at Pheriche, a high-altitude stop below Mount Everest base camp in Nepal, on Tuesday morning. One passenger, a 47-year-old Indian tourist, was killed and at least two other people — a New Zealand tourist and a pilot — were injured, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN).

What happened

The collision occurred at about 8:12 a.m. local time in the Pheriche area of Solukhumbu District, CAAN said in a translated press release. The aircraft belonged to two Nepali operators: Air Dynasty and Fishtail Air.

The Fishtail Air helicopter was carrying two foreign tourists. One was Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu of Chennai, India, who died. The other, Shailesh Kisan Patel of New Zealand, was hurt. At least one pilot from the two crews was also injured, the authority said. The injured were taken to a hospital in Kathmandu.

Fishtail Air told Reuters its helicopter went down during landing while carrying passengers who had been rescued from the Everest region. An Air Dynasty official told Reuters that its helicopter was carrying only cargo at the time.

CAAN has opened an investigation and will decide whether corrective action is needed once findings are in.

Why it matters

Helicopters are a basic form of transport around Everest, where there are no roads. They are used to move trekkers and guides who fall ill or become exhausted in the cold and thin air, according to the Associated Press. A collision at a landing site in that corridor therefore affects not just the two operators but the wider rescue and trekking system that depends on these flights.

The crash came after heavy snow had covered trekking routes in the region. Conditions improved on Sunday, allowing thousands of trekkers to start moving through the area again, the AP reported. This suggests traffic — on foot and in the air — was picking up just before the accident, though the source does not say whether that played any role.

Pheriche sits about 13,780 feet above sea level, below Everest base camp. Landings at that altitude are demanding, but the source gives no cause for the collision.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• If you have booked a helicopter flight or rescue transfer in the Everest region, check with your operator for schedule changes. The source does not report any suspension of flights.
• Trekking routes in the area had been snow-covered; conditions improved Sunday and thousands of trekkers resumed movement. Expect busy trails and air traffic.
• Travel insurance that covers helicopter evacuation at altitude remains relevant for trekkers in this region, given how central helicopters are to rescue there.
• No cause has been established. Avoid drawing conclusions about which operator or pilot was at fault until CAAN reports.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Pheriche?

Pheriche is a settlement in Solukhumbu District, Nepal, about 13,780 feet above sea level and below Everest base camp. It is a common stop on the trek to base camp.

Who died in the Everest helicopter collision?

Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu, 47, of Chennai, India, a passenger on the Fishtail Air helicopter, according to CAAN.

Was anyone else hurt?

Yes. Shailesh Kisan Patel, a New Zealand national on the same helicopter, and at least one pilot were injured and taken to a hospital in Kathmandu.

What caused the collision?

It is not known. CAAN has opened an investigation and has not released a cause.

What to watch next

CAAN’s investigation will determine whether corrective action is needed. The source does not give a timeline for the findings, and it is not yet confirmed whether either operator has changed procedures in the meantime.