Concerned by the pilot’s “reckless and irresponsible” maneuvers during a March 12, 2018, approach to Kathmandu, Nepal, an air traffic controller canceled the US-Bangla Airlines Bombardier Q400’s landing clearance. Seconds later, the airplane struck the runway and burst into flames, killing 51 of the 71 passengers and crew.
The Nepal Accident Investigation Commission, in its final report, said the probable cause of the crash was “disorientation and a complete loss of situational awareness in the part of crewmember.”
Among the contributing factors was the airplane’s position, “offset to the proper approach path, that led to maneuvers in a very dangerous and unsafe attitude to align with the runway,” the report said. “Landing was completed in a sheer desperation after sighting the runway at very close proximity and very low altitude.”
The report noted that, although a go-around would have been possible “until the last instant before touchdown,” the crew …
