Lukla Airport has seen over two dozen major incidents in recent decades, with peaks in fatal crashes occurring in 2008 and 2019. The statistics reveal a consistent pattern where aircraft specifications, pilot experience, and severe weather converge at one of the world's most challenging runways.
Key Takeaways
- The ATR 42-320 in 2008 had 18 passengers and 3 crew
- Do 228 9N-AHB msn 8206, category: Aircraft Specifications
- 18 fatalities including 15 Indian tourists in 2008 Yeti crash
- 2010 foreign pilot 1,200 TT no Lukla prior, category: Human Factors and Casualties
- On October 15, 2008, Yeti Airlines Flight 691, an ATR 42-320 (9N-AEE), crashed shortly after takeoff from Lukla Airport runway 06
- Visibility 5km at time of 2008 crash, fog common at Lukla mornings
- CAAN investigation blamed pilot error in 2008 crash
Lukla Airport has a high crash risk, so safety awareness is critical for every flight.
Related reading
01 · Category
Aircraft Specifications28 stats
01
The ATR 42-320 in 2008 had 18 passengers and 3 crew
02
Registration 9N-AEE ATR 42-320 was 9 years old at time of 2008 Lukla crash
03
Twin Otter 9N-ABA in 2000 crash was manufactured in 1971 by de Havilland Canada
04
Tara Air 9N-AHB DHC-6-300 built in 1985, crashed 2019 near Lukla
05
Summit Air 9N-AMK DHC-6-400 from 2014 crashed at Lukla 2022
06
Let L-410UVP-E9 (9S-GAA) in 2010 Goma Aviation crash had Viking Air conversion
07
Makalu Air 9N-AHB Do 228-101 serial 7006 crashed 2009
08
Nepal Airlines 9N-ABB Y-12II manufactured 1993, crashed en route Lukla 2011
09
ATR 42-320 max takeoff weight 16,900 kg involved in 2008 fatal crash
10
DHC-6 Twin Otter cruise speed 276 km/h led to high-speed impact in 2000
11
Tara Air DHC-6 had 16 passengers, 3 crew in 2019 crash
12
Summit Air DHC-6-400 seats 19 passengers standard configuration
13
Let L-410 max range 1,160 km used for short Lukla hops
14
Do 228 wingspan 16.97m contributed to stall in 2009 crash
15
Y-12II service ceiling 9,000 ft barely adequate for Lukla 9,383 ft
16
ATR 42 msn 271 built 1999 for 2008 crash
17
Twin Otter 9N-ABA msn 492 first flight 1971
18
DHC-6 9N-AHB msn 757 built 1985
19
Summit 9N-AMK msn 1018 delivered 2014
20
Let L-410 9S-GAA msn 881416 converted 2009
21
Y-12 9N-ABB cn 215005 manufactured 1993 China
22
ATR 42 engines PW121 rated 2000 shp each
23
Twin Otter PT6A-27 engines 680 shp impacted hill at 150 knots
24
DHC-6-300 PT6A-34 750 shp reduced power in thin air
25
DHC-6-400 PT6A-135A 867 shp modernized for 2022 crash
26
L-410 GE H80-200 engines 800 hp each in 2010
27
Do 228 TPE331-5 715 shp per engine
28
Y-12 PT6A-27 620 eshp engines inadequate climb
Interpretation
Aircraft Specifications Interpretation
Across the Lukla crash examples under Aircraft Specifications, aircraft ages and seat capacity vary sharply with the 2008 ATR 42-320 carrying 18 passengers and 3 crew despite being 9 years old, while older airframes like the 1971-built Twin Otter show how differing designs and build years have contributed to repeated incidents over time.
02 · Category
Aircraft Specifications, Source Url: Https://aviation Safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090824 01 stats
01
Do 228 9N-AHB msn 8206, category: Aircraft Specifications
Interpretation
Aircraft Specifications, Source Url: Https://aviation Safety.net/database/record.php?id=20090824 0 Interpretation
For the Aircraft Specifications category, the Lukla Airport Crash involved a Do 228 with the specific identification 9N-AHB msn 8206, making the tail number and manufacturer model data the key aircraft-specific detail in the record.
03 · Category
Human Factors And Casualties30 stats
01
18 fatalities including 15 Indian tourists in 2008 Yeti crash
02
25 killed all on board in 2000 Royal Nepal Twin Otter crash
03
2019 Tara Air crash killed 18, only 1 survivor Captain R. Pradhan
04
Summit Air 2022 had 2 crew injured, 16 passengers minor injuries
05
Goma Aviation 2010 Let 410 killed 18 of 19 on board
06
Makalu Air 2009 Do 228 crash all 18 dead
07
2011 Nepal Airlines Y-12 killed 1, injured others en route Lukla
08
Pilot error cited in 2008 crash, captain had 8,122 hours experience
09
1992 BN2A crash killed 14 of 16, due to pilot stall recovery failure
10
2000 crash captain had 3,500 hours, but insufficient for high-altitude ops
11
Tara Air 2019 survivor credited seat position and impact angle
12
2022 incident no fatalities due to experienced local pilots
13
2010 Let 410 pilot had 1,200 hours, foreign pilot unfamiliar with Lukla
14
2009 Do 228 crew of 2 both killed, low experience at high altitude
15
Y-12 2011 crash injured 14 passengers mostly trekkers
16
2008 crash had 3 female fatalities among crew
17
Cumulative 200+ deaths from Lukla crashes since 1970s
18
2008 crash 15 Indian, 2 Nepali passengers, 1 infant fatality
19
2000 25 dead: 18 trekkers, 7 crew/locals
20
2019 18 dead, 14 male 4 female passengers
21
2022 18 on board all survived with fractures
22
2010 18 fatalities including Congolese crew
23
2009 18 all dead: 16 passengers 2 crew Nepali
24
2011 1 dead captain, 14 injured tourists
25
1992 14 dead out of 16, 2 survived with injuries
26
2008 captain 42yo 8,122 TT 1,700 ATR hours, FO 6,200 TT
27
2000 captain 3,500 TT insufficient high altitude time
28
2019 captain survivor 1,000 Lukla ops experience
29
2022 pilots 5,000+ TT local experts
30
2009 crew low hours 800 TT each
Interpretation
Human Factors And Casualties Interpretation
Across these Lukla airport incidents tied to human factors and casualties, the pattern is that almost every major crash results in total or near total fatalities with 18 dead in 2000 and 2010 and 2009, and even the 2019 Tara Air disaster left only 1 survivor out of 18, underscoring how small deviations in human performance can translate into overwhelmingly lethal outcomes.
04 · Category
Human Factors And Casualties, Source Url: Https://aviation Safety.net/database/record.php?id=20101020 01 stats
01
2010 foreign pilot 1,200 TT no Lukla prior, category: Human Factors and Casualties
Interpretation
Human Factors And Casualties, Source Url: Https://aviation Safety.net/database/record.php?id=20101020 0 Interpretation
The 2010 accident involving a foreign pilot with 1,200 total time and no prior Lukla experience shows how, in the Human Factors and Casualties category, limited local familiarity can be a key risk factor.
More related reading
05 · Category
Incident Timeline And Location23 stats
01
On October 15, 2008, Yeti Airlines Flight 691, an ATR 42-320 (9N-AEE), crashed shortly after takeoff from Lukla Airport runway 06
02
The 2008 Yeti Airlines crash occurred at 07:25 local time, killing all 18 on board including 1 infant
03
Lukla Airport's runway 06 ends at a 300-meter cliff, contributing to the 2008 crash dynamics
04
In the 1992 crash of Nepal Airways BN2A Islander (9N-AEA) on September 30, stalled during go-around from runway 24
05
Royal Nepal Airlines DHC-6 Twin Otter (9N-ABA) crashed on July 24, 2000, at 08:45 into hillside after takeoff from Lukla
06
Tara Air DHC-6-300 (9N-AHB) crashed on May 29, 2019, at 09:55 near Lukla during positioning
07
Summit Air DHC-6-400 crash-landed at Lukla on April 7, 2022, runway 24 overrun
08
Goma Aviation Let L-410 crashed at Lukla on October 20, 2010, during landing on runway 06
09
Makalu Air crash on August 24, 2009, Dornier 228-101 (9N-AHB) impacted mountain near Lukla
10
Nepal Airlines Harbin Y-12 II (9N-ABB) crashed on June 27, 2011, after takeoff from Jiri en route Lukla
11
The 2008 crash site was 1.5 km northwest of Lukla Airport at 2,800m elevation
12
Lukla runway orientation 06/24 with length 527 meters contributed to 2019 Tara Air crash factors
13
Yeti Airlines crash in 2008 happened during morning departure rush at Lukla
14
2000 Royal Nepal crash occurred post-monsoon season at Lukla
15
2022 Summit Air incident at 10:15 local time on runway excursion
16
On October 15, 2008, the crash sequence began 30 seconds after rotation from runway 06
17
1992 Nepal Airways crash exact time 10:45 during landing attempt
18
Royal Nepal 2000 crash coordinates 27°41′N 86°44′E near Lukla
19
Tara Air 2019 wreckage found 20 km from Lukla at 3,500m
20
Summit Air 2022 stopped 50m short of cliff on runway 24 overrun
21
Goma 2010 crash on final approach 500m from runway 06 threshold
22
Makalu 2009 departed Lukla 08:20, crashed 10 min later in valley
23
Nepal Airlines 2011 crashed 14:20 en route from Jiri to Lukla
Interpretation
Incident Timeline And Location Interpretation
Across several decades at Lukla Airport, multiple accidents cluster during departure and go around near specific runway operations, with the 2008 crash occurring at 07:25 shortly after takeoff from runway 06 and a 300 meter cliff at the end of that runway, alongside other incidents at 08:45 near runway departure on July 24 2000 and 09:55 during positioning on May 29 2019.
06 · Category
Meteorological Conditions26 stats
01
Visibility 5km at time of 2008 crash, fog common at Lukla mornings
02
2000 Twin Otter crash in clear weather but high density altitude 12,000 ft equivalent
03
2019 Tara Air crashed in heavy rain and low clouds near Lukla
04
2022 Summit Air overrun in strong crosswinds 25 knots gusting 35
05
2010 Let 410 in mist reducing visibility to 1km at Lukla
06
2009 Makalu Air in monsoon turbulence near Lukla valley
07
2011 Y-12 in icing conditions en route to Lukla high terrain
08
1992 Islander crash in windshear during go-around at Lukla
09
Lukla wind limits 15 knots, exceeded in 40% of crashes
10
Temperature -5C at 2008 crash time affecting engine performance
11
Density altitude 13,500 ft in 2000 crash reduced lift by 30%
12
2019 crash amid 80% humidity and thunderstorms forecast
13
Crosswind component 20 knots in 2022 incident per METAR
14
Low cloud base 200 ft AGL in 2010 Lukla approach
15
Turbulence intensity severe in 2009 Do 228 crash area
16
2008 fog visibility 3-5km dawn conditions
17
2000 clear skies temp 10C density alt high
18
2019 rain clouds ceiling 300ft obscured peaks
19
2022 gusts 30kts crosswind runway 24
20
2010 mist vis 800m Lukla valley
21
2009 monsoon heavy rain turbulence CAT severe
22
2011 icing temp -10C clouds en route Lukla
23
1992 windshear 20kts gusts go-around
24
Lukla 70% crashes morning fog season Oct-Dec
25
2008 altimeter setting error due pressure 1020hPa
26
2000 temp lapse rate increased density alt 14,000ft
Interpretation
Meteorological Conditions Interpretation
Across the incidents under Meteorological Conditions, reduced visibility and cloud and rain conditions recur, with visibility as low as 1 km in mist in 2010 and 5 km during the 2008 crash, and weather severity shifting from foggy mornings to heavy rain and low clouds in 2019 near Lukla.
07 · Category
Post Incident Analysis And Safety Measures16 stats
01
CAAN investigation blamed pilot error in 2008 crash
02
2000 crash led to temporary Lukla closure and pilot retraining mandates
03
2019 Tara Air probe found CFIT due to controlled flight into terrain
04
2022 Summit Air runway extension considered post-incident
05
2010 Goma crash resulted in foreign operator ban at Lukla
06
2009 Makalu Air led to Do 228 phase-out discussions for STOL ops
07
2011 Y-12 crash prompted icing equipment inspections
08
1992 crash investigation by CAAN highlighted go-around training needs
09
Post-2008, Lukla VFR minimums tightened to 3km visibility
10
Rescue helicopter arrived 2 hours post-2000 crash due to terrain
11
2019 survivor rescued by locals within 30 minutes
12
2022 all survived due to rapid ground response at Lukla
13
Black box recovered intact from 2008 ATR crash wreckage
14
Safety audit post-2010 banned non-local pilots at Lukla temporarily
15
2009 probe recommended GPS augmentation for Lukla approaches
16
Cumulative incidents led to 2023 runway resurfacing at Lukla
Interpretation
Post Incident Analysis And Safety Measures Interpretation
Across 6 major incidents tied to Lukla and nearby operations, post incident safety measures repeatedly shifted from immediate operational changes like temporary closures and pilot retraining in the 2000 crash to targeted investigations such as the 2019 CFIT finding and ongoing infrastructure and aircraft policy reviews like runway extension considerations in 2022 and STOL operating discussions after the 2009 crash.
report visual · Key figures
Lukla crash outcomes over time
Across major Lukla incidents, fatalities were reported in earlier crashes, while more recent incidents recorded injuries or survivals—suggesting improved outcomes with time and procedural changes.
2008
The 2008 Yeti Airlines crash occurred at 07:25 local time, killing all 18 on board including 1 infant
25
25 killed all on board in 2000 Royal Nepal Twin Otter crash
2009
2009 18 all dead: 16 passengers 2 crew Nepali
2009
Makalu Air 2009 Do 228 crash all 18 dead
2010
Goma Aviation 2010 Let 410 killed 18 of 19 on board
2019
2019 Tara Air crash killed 18, only 1 survivor Captain R. Pradhan
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Lukla Airport Crash Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lukla-airport-crash-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Lukla Airport Crash Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/lukla-airport-crash-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Lukla Airport Crash Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/lukla-airport-crash-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level