Kawasan penerbangan ekstrem di sekitar Gunung Everest, Nepal, kembali menelan korban jiwa akibat insiden kecelakaan udara. Pada Selasa pagi, 3 November 2026, sekitar pukul 08:11 waktu setempat, dua helikopter operasional dilaporkan mengalami tabrakan hebat saat bersiap untuk mendarat di helipad Pheriche, Distrik Solukhumbu, yang berlokasi tak jauh dari Everest Base Camp.
Insiden kecelakaan maritim dan aviasi pegunungan tinggi ini mengakibatkan seorang wisatawan asal India tewas di lokasi kejadian, sementara seorang penumpang warga negara Selandia Baru dan seorang pilot asal Nepal mengalami luka-luka dan harus segera dievakuasi medis.
Kecelakaan tragis ini melibatkan dua helikopter dari operator penerbangan lokal Nepal yang berbeda, yakni helikopter milik Fishtail Air dengan registrasi 9N-AJR dan helikopter milik Air Dynasty dengan registrasi 9N-AOD.
Berdasarkan laporan awal di lokasi kejadian, salah satu helikopter tengah menjalankan misi pengangkut penumpang hasil evakuasi penyelamatan (rescue operation), sementara helikopter lainnya sedang mengangkut pasokan kargo logistik. Benturan keras terjadi ketika baling-baling utama (rotor blades) dari kedua helikopter saling bertabrakan (rotor-blade clearance failure) di ruang udara sempit saat mendekati titik pendaratan helipad Pheriche.
TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDE NEAR MOUNT EVEREST – ONE DEAD, NEW ZEALANDER AND PILOT INJURED
A serious helicopter collision has occurred in Nepal’s Everest region, leaving an Indian tourist dead and several people injured.
The accident happened on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at approximately 08:11 a.m. local time, as two helicopters were preparing to land at the Pheriche helipad in Solukhumbu district, near Mount Everest Base Camp.
AIRCRAFT INVOLVED
The helicopters were operated by:
Fishtail Air – Registration 9N-AJR.
Air Dynasty – Registration 9N-AOD.According to preliminary local reports, one helicopter was involved in transporting rescued passengers, while the other was carrying cargo.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Initial information indicates that the helicopters’ rotor blades came in contact while approaching/preparing to land at Pheriche helipad.
The exact sequence of events leading to the collision remains under investigation.
CASUALTIES AND RESCUE
One Indian tourist, identified in local reports as Vasanth Kumar, was killed.
A New Zealand passenger, identified as Shailesh Kishan, sustained injuries.
A Nepali helicopter pilot was also reported injured.
The injured passenger was evacuated by helicopter for medical treatment.WHY THIS INCIDENT IS SIGNIFICANT
Pheriche is situated approximately 4,200 metres (13,780 feet) above sea level and serves as an important staging point for trekkers, climbers and helicopter rescue operations in the Everest region.
Helicopter operations in this high-altitude environment present demanding operational conditions, including:
High-density-altitude performance considerations.
Restricted landing areas.Mountainous terrain and rapidly changing weather.
Complex helicopter traffic during rescue and cargo operations.Critical rotor-clearance and ground-handling considerations.
🔎 INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Aviation authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision, including:
– Helicopter approach and landing procedures.
– Rotor-blade clearance and possible contact.
– Pilot coordination and communication.
– Helipad traffic management.
– Weather and visibility conditions.
– Flight operations and operational procedures.Our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, and wishes for a full recovery to those injured.
#AviationAccident #HelicopterCollision #Everest #Nepal #AviationSafety
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 3, 2026
Kawasan Pheriche yang berada di ketinggian sekitar 4.200 meter (13.780 kaki) di atas permukaan laut dikenal sebagai salah satu perlintasan udara paling berbahaya di dunia. Area ini merupakan titik krusial bagi lalu lintas helikopter pengangkut kargo, pendaki Gunung Everest, hingga misi evakuasi darurat.
Penerbangan di kawasan berketinggian ekstrem ini menuntut tingkat presisi yang sangat tinggi lantaran harus berhadapan dengan kondisi density altitude yang tipis, ruang helipad yang sangat terbatas, kontur pegunungan terjal, serta cuaca ekstrem yang kerap berubah secara mendadak.
Saat ini, otoritas penerbangan sipil Nepal telah menerjunkan tim investigasi untuk mendalami penyebab pasti tabrakan udara tersebut. Proses penyelidikan berfokus pada manajemen lalu lintas helipad, prosedur komunikasi serta koordinasi antar-pilot saat approach, ketepatan jarak aman baling-baling, hingga analisis kondisi cuaca serta visibilitas pada detik-detik sebelum benturan terjadi.
