17 years ago, the husband of the co-pilot died in a plane crash, who lost his life in the same way in Nepal
At least 70 people died, but authorities fear that all 72 people traveling on the plane died in the worst air crash in Nepal since 1992. Among the dead is probably the co-pilot Anya Kativada (44), whose husband also died in the plane crash that happened 17 years ago. Katiwada joined Nepal's Yeti Airlines in 2010.
In 2006, her husband Deepak Pokrel died in the crash of a small passenger plane he was flying for a domestic carrier, minutes before its scheduled landing. Kathiwada paid for the flying lessons with the insurance payout she received after Pokrell's death, airline spokesman Sudarshan Bartaula confirmed.
The plane of "Yeti Airlines" with Kathiwada flew from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the starting point for expeditions to the famous Annapurna mountain. Katiwada, who has more than 6.400 flying hours, has already flown this popular tourist route, writes The Daily Mail.
The body of the flight captain, who had more than 21.900 flight hours, was found and identified. Katiwada's remains have not been identified, but she is feared dead.
"On Sunday, she was flying the plane with an instructor pilot, which is standard airline procedure," said a Yeti Airlines official who knew Katiwada personally.