The plane crash in Nepal which left 19 dead was likely caused by a “panic-stricken” pilot, according to Nepalese aviation officials.
The plane’s right engine burst into flames after being hit by a large bird, causing the aircraft to plummet into the river bank and explode into a huge fireball.
Ratish Chandra Suman, an official from Tribhuvan international airport, said the pilot had reported trouble two minutes after takeoff and appeared to have been trying to turn back to the airport.
The Dornier aircraft crashed on the bank of the Manohara river at 6.18am on Friday in clear weather and witnesses said it was already on fire before it hit the ground.
“The pilot’s failure to maintain the required radius is a likely cause of the accident,” said senior ministry official Suresh Acharya, adding the plane turned too sharply because it had not gained enough altitude.
Air accident investigators from the UK are now heading to Nepal to help with the investigation into what caused the Everest-bound plane to crash, killing all 19 on board, including British and Chinese Everest-bound trekkers.