KATHMANDU: The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has taken action against senior captain Sobit Gauchan of Prabhu Helicopters after an unauthorized flight to Camp II on Mt Everest was conducted by celebrated mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja on May 19. Gauchan has been suspended from duty by CAAN, with officials citing clear evidence that the flight violated CAAN regulations. Gyanendra Bhul, CAAN's information officer, confirmed the suspension and clarified that the helicopter flight was not for a rescue mission but carried passengers to a restricted area, contravening aviation rules and a recent Supreme Court order.
The Supreme Court recently issued a ban on helicopter flights above Everest base camp except for emergencies, aiming to prevent unauthorized flights in the region. CAAN has accused Nims Purja of commandeering the helicopter and breaching aviation rules, despite his ownership of Mustang Helicopters. Eyewitnesses reported that initially, five passengers, including Nims and others, boarded the helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla, after which Nims continued alone from Lukla to Camp II. Nims allegedly paid $4,000 to Prabhu Helicopter to force the captain to land at Camp II.
In response to allegations, Elite Exped, owned by Nims Purja, claimed that the flight was to rescue Qatari princess Asmaa Al Thani from Camp II, who required medical evacuation. However, sources dispute this claim, stating that no one was picked up from Camp II on the same day, and Al Thani was airlifted the following day. Elite Exped has a history of disregarding Everest rules, including illegally training climbers at the Everest base camp and taking climbers above base camp for Lingtren peak expeditions. The Department of Tourism has initiated an investigation into the matter.
.jpg)
