Kathmandu, May 23

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended senior captain of Prabhu Helicopters Sobit Gauchan, following an unauthorized flight from Kathmandu to Camp II on Mt Everest. The flight was conducted by celebrated mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja in violation of CAAN regulations on May 19.

There was clear evidence that Nims illegally commandeered the helicopter landing at Camp II, officials said. CAAN has now suspended its senior captain Gauchan, getting him off the roster, Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at CAAN, said.

Bhul also confirmed that the helicopter was not on a rescue mission but carried passengers to the restricted area, breaching aviation rules and a Supreme Court order. 'Even in the time of permitted rescue missions, passengers are not allowed onboard above the base camp,' Bhul clarified.

The Supreme Court recently imposed a ban on helicopter flights above Everest base camp except for emergencies. Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Sushma Lata Mathema issued the mandamus order to prevent unauthorized flights in the region.

It seems that Nims Purja took the helicopter by force, contravening the aviation rule, according to CAAN. Apart from climbing, Nims also owns Mustang Helicopters. 'How can an operator itself defy aviation rules?,' sources questioned. 'Initially there were five passengers – Nims, three foreigners and a Nepali guide - when Prabhu Helicopter took off for Lukla from Kathmandu and Nims was alone in the flight from Lukla to Camp II,' eyewitnesses described. Nims paid US$4,000 to Prabhu Helicopter forcing its captain to land at Camp II, according to sources.

In a letter to the Ministry of Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, Elite Exped, however, claimed that Nims landed there to rescue its most valued client Qatari princess Asmaa Al Thani, who was waiting for medical evacuation at Camp II. 'But, evidence shows that no one was picked from Camp II the same day despite claiming it as a rescue mission,' sources said, adding that Al Thani was airlifted the following day and brought to HAMS Hospital for medical check-up.

Elite Exped, owned by Nims Purja, has continuously been flouting the Everest rules. The company earlier admitted that it illegally trained Lobuche East climbers at the Everest base camp. Talking to THT, base camp officials confirmed that Elite Exped took its Lingtren peak climbers above base camp and most of them from an 11-member team to Camp III. 'Hiking above base camp is not allowed for Lingtren peak climbers,' base camp officials said. The Department of Tourism under the ministry said that it has already launched an investigation into the issue.