Pilot of plane that crashed in Nepal lied to ATC, smoked in cockpit: Report

An investigation by the Nepal government into the US-Bangla plane crash in Kathmandu has raised questions on the mental condition of the lead pilot of the aircraft. 51 people died after the Dhaka-Kathmandu US-Bangla Airlines aircraft clipped the fence at the Kathmandu airport and burst into flames.

Both the pilots died in the crash.

An investigation by the Nepal government suggests that the captain of the flight -- Abid Sultan -- lied to air traffic control (ATC) about carrying out the proper procedures for



landing, was behaving erratically and was smoking continuously during the flight. The report also suggests the pilots seemed disoriented while landing and had lost sight of the runway.

Captain under immense stress

The report, accessed by Nepali daily Kathmandu Post, suggests that Sultan was under immense mental stress and anxiety while flying the ill-fated ST211 plane that was carrying 71 passengers. His unusual behaviour during the flight should have raised immediate red flags, the investigation concluded.