KATHMANDU: A Fishtail Air helicopter went out of contact while it was ferrying some patients from Philim of Gorkha to Kathmandu today.

It has been suspected that the helicopter crashed in Madanpur of Nuwakot district as smoke billowing over a forest was noticed by locals.

Fishtail Air Chief Executive Officer Suman Pandey confirmed that the 9N-AKA chopper, piloted by Captain Ranjan Limbu, has gone missing for around last two hours.

"Yes, it is missing, and we are yet to locate the aircraft," he said.

Five patients from Philim of northern Gorkha were on board the chopper besides the pilot.

Commenting on the crash report, he said, "We have sent another helicopter piloted by Captain Ashish Sherchan in the suspected area."

Meanwhile, Nuwakot Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Pokharel said his office received a report from local authorities that the plane crashed in a forest in Madanpur-9 of the district.

"A police team is about to reach the incident site," he said, "We are also on the way."