• YETI CRASH PROBE
KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 6
The analysis of the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder retrieved from the crash site of Yeti Airlines 9N-ANC aircraft in Pokhara has revealed that propellers of both the plane's engines were on feather during the base leg of the landing procedure.
Feather is employed if an engine must be shut down. In feathering, blades are turned so that the leading edges are pointed essentially in the direction of flight. In this position, aerodynamic forces on the propeller result in a low drag condition.
Usually, a propeller is feathered when the engine fails to produce the power needed to turn the propeller.
According to Deepak Prasad Bastola, member of the investigation commission formed after the crash, further investigation to ascertain why this happened and if the acci-dent was a technical failure or a human error is still under way. After that probe, the commission will release further reports, said Bastola.
According to the investigation commission statement, the flight data recorder and the cockpit flight recorder were analysed by representatives of Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore, BEA France, TSB Canada, P & W Canada, and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). They also conducted studies from the technical and human perspective through ATR simulators in Singapore. The commission has also started further investigation to find out why both the propellers were on feather.
The commission said it would take time to submit the final report, adding that it was also working on submitting a preliminary report with recommendations to increase flight safety after analysing the information and data received so far.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 7, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
