KATHMANDU: Captain Arun Malla, along with four Chinese nationals, died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday afternoon.
The helicopter, belonging to Air Dynasty, crashed in Suryachaur, Shivpuri Rural Municipality Ward Number 7, in Nepal’s Nuwakot district.
Captain Malla, an experienced and skilled pilot, had previously survived several life-threatening incidents, including a Maoist abduction and two other helicopter crashes.
During the Maoist insurgency, Captain Malla was captured by Maoist rebels on Bhadra 24, 2059.
He had been deployed in Solukhumbu to rescue police personnel injured in a Maoist attack.
While flying a helicopter belonging to Karnali Air, Maoist soldiers attacked the helicopter as he was set to bring the injured personnel to Kathmandu.
The rebels forced Captain Malla and four others to abandon the helicopter before setting it on fire.
Captain Malla and an injured policeman were kidnapped but released after a few days.
In another incident on Ashoj 10, 2070, Captain Malla’s helicopter met with an accident while landing at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla, Solukhumbu.
He was rescued safely, though two passengers sustained injuries.
Similarly, on Chaitra 29, 2079, Captain Malla survived yet another crash.
The same helicopter that crashed in Nuwakot had previously met with an accident while landing at the helipad of HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. Despite the crash, no injuries were reported.
Captain Malla, who had undergone training in Russia and had been flying helicopters for the past 35 years, tragically lost his life in the crash on Wednesday afternoon.
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