On 3 November 2026, two AS350 helicopters collided while attempting to land at the Pheriche helipad in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, killing 47‑year‑old Indian tourist Vasanth Kumar Balaramudu and injuring three others.
The aircraft belonged to private operators Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty Heli Service. The Air Dynasty helicopter, registered 9N‑AOD, was on a cargo run from Lukla Airport with no passengers aboard. The Fishtail Air helicopter, registered 9N‑AJR, had departed Gorakshep carrying two foreign passengers and was reportedly transporting tourists rescued from the Everest region.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:11 am local time, just metres above the ground, when the rotor blades of the two machines made contact during their approach.
In addition to the Indian victim, the injured included New Zealand national of Indian origin Shailesh Krishna Patel and the two pilots of the helicopters.
Emergency responders provided immediate assistance, and the injured were later transferred to Kathmandu for medical treatment, according to Reuters.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal confirmed the incident and is reviewing safety protocols for high‑altitude operations, a concern heightened by the busy trekking season.
Fishtail Air stated its flight was carrying rescued tourists, while Air Dynasty officials emphasized that their aircraft was carrying only cargo at the time of the accident.
Authorities have not yet released a detailed cause of the collision, but the event underscores the challenges of aviation in the rugged Everest region.
