A preliminary report on the Saurya Airlines crash that killed 18 people, submitted to Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, found critical errors by both the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The 17-page report revealed that Saurya Airlines failed to follow protocols for cargo and baggage handling, and the flight’s airspeeds did not match required standards. Additionally, CAAN’s procedures for approving non-scheduled flights were deemed insufficient for ensuring safety. The probe commission, led by former CAAN director Ratish Chandra Lal Suman, recommended that airlines review their procedures and that CAAN update its guidelines. The final report is still pending, but the ministry will decide if the preliminary findings are sufficient for action.
