Kathmandu, November 30:

The Probe Committee formed to investigate into August 8 and September 3 chopper crashes said in a report published today that the crashes occurred due to pilots’ mistakes.

Choppers of the Karnali Air and Air Dynasty had crashed on August 8 and September 3. The Karnali Air chopper had crashed on the Tribhuvan International Airport. The Air Dynasty copter had crashed at the Dhawalagiri Base Camp.

The commission was headed by joint-secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Medini Prasad Sharma. The report was presented to Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Pradip Kumar Gyawali. It said there was misunderstanding among co-pilots of the Air Karnali, lack of proper training and division of work. Pointing that the Dynasty Air deputed only one pilot even in a mountain flight, the report said the pilot of the chopper might have suffered from high-altitude sickness. It also pointed recklessness on the part of the pilot and inexperience as the causes of the crash. Minister Gyawali directed the Civil Aviation Authority to be vigilant and bring effective programmes to prevent further crashes.