Flight YT-691 Nepal Yeti Airlines ATR 72 Crash First Explanation by the ATR Airline Pilot

A Yeti Airlines Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration 9N-ANC performing flight YT-691 from Kathmandu to Pokhara (Nepal) with 68 passengers and 4 crew, was on final approach to Pokhara's International Airport's runway 12 when the aircraft stalled, impacted ground between the old Pokhara and the new Pokhara International Airport, fell into a ravine and burst into flames about 1.12nm ahead of the runway threshold at about 11:05L (05:20Z). 68 bodies have so far been recovered from the crash site.
Link for the avherald: avherald.com/h?article=503c63...

[@mayaandersen8373]

Thank you for your sensitivity to those of us living here in Pokhara, Nepal. Most of the locals assume that, because the nation's domestic fleet of planes are so old and not maintained to international standards, the accident was caused by mechanical failure. There seems to be another popular idea that the pilot forced the plane into the gorge to avoid a highly populated area near the new airport. Thousands would have lost their lives. We will see where the facts lead us. Thank you for your restraint in showing graphic images and for the kind and human way you express yourself.

[@robertwhyst]

You're right, most people assume that an older aircraft would be more unreliable ... but in reality, any aircraft can experience technical or software problems, as happened recently (2018) with a relative new / 4 month old Boeing 737 (flight 302).

[@RMR1]

It's a nice idea, but in reality, the pilot would have had no time to steer the plane away from a populated area --- or anywhere else -- once the stall began, given how low to the ground it was. It would have gone from in-control to out-of-control in about a second, with the crash coming about 2-3 seconds later. Very fortunate that it crashed in an unpopulated part of the city, but that was sheer luck.

[@Demop_VW_garage]

Too slow, slight flair up on the nose and stall spin, everything after that the pilots were passengers until impact. Very sad for all involved.

[@jamesbong4928]

Here come the experts...

[@robertwhyst]

@@jamesbong4928 Indeed, one can't assume nothing until the data of all recorders have been analysed and the remainder of the wreckage has been thoroughly investigated by the relevant crash investigation organisations etc.

[@PauperJ]

So glad you're back on YT Dennys. I hope each day brings you and your family exceeding joy.

[@PilotBlogDenys]

I am every day on KZbin but on another channel)

[@gruffdevdev18]

@@PilotBlogDenys what’s the channel name?

[@yarynahodakiv531]

@@gruffdevdev18 www.youtube.com/@DenysDavydov

[@evilleader1991]

@@gruffdevdev18 Denis Davydov

[@Pilot09]

It is Denys Davidov channel He makes videos every single day about updates of Ukraine. It is so interesting Nice

[@girlfriday1299]

Glad to see you here, Denys! Thank you for your sharing your aviation knowledge in a way that those of us who know little can understand and learn more, and for your sensitivity in handling this topic. You would be a great instructor!

[@diane9247]

Thank you, Denys. May those who died rest in peace and their families find comfort in their memories.💐

[@danielmosey6203]

Good to see you back Denys. Absolute brilliant review of this, from someone highly experienced operating this type of aircraft. Look forward to your updates as more information comes forward.

[@PapaDutch]

Denny, your professional and experienced breakdown of the systems and overall description of the aircraft were masterful, I couldn't get a better presentation from a professional aviation reporter.

[@jasonthela6859]

You’re on drugs. This guy doesn’t know what he is talking about. It’s all bullshit coming out of his mouth. He is taking pieces of information from media sources and investigative sources, then putting them in his own INCORRECT words and descriptions. If this guy is a pilot and I don’t think he is then don’t fly with him

[@saiki8777]

glad you are back ,Dennis . i have been watching you for a very long time i missed watching your videos on aviation.

[@themuffinman2954]

Rest In Peace to all of the souls that were in the accident 😢

[@Notrichalerq]

4 people survive not all died

[@waldo1359]

@@Notrichalerq not confirmed

[@bijbaj01bijbaj38]

@@Notrichalerq all dead.. First rescued 2 people could have lived. But 1 hr delay in rescue, ambulance only local are quick 15 minutes they reach

[@PrabeshzNP10]

@@Notrichalerq all dead bro 😢

[@johngreydanus2033]

CRASH, not accident

[@utkarsh3481]

So good to see you back, captain. Please update us on your future plans as an airline pilot.

[@humboldtfog7851]

Very good explanation and analysis, Denys, good job! May the passengers and crew Rest In Peace.🙏

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Former ATR 42-320 pilot here. Yes, engine failure under 3500 feet can be quite an experience and something you need to deal with correctly in very little time. Any mistakes or hesitation can lead to a very bad outcome. At the end of the day it's stick and rudder skills that will save lives regardless of what the FAA seems to think. Be interesting to see what the investigation reveals.

[@cristinapatrizia3281]

RIP to all the souls that were lost and I pray for their families. I am subscribed to your other channel also, but it's good to see you posting on this one again. My husband works as an engineer for an aerospace company on the military side here in the US, hopefully one day they will get those planes to Ukraine.

[@richardc020]

So happy to see you back here, Denis! Your experienced, calm analysis is very much welcome as most of the media elsewhere is the opposite with civil aviation coverage. Safe flying, always!?

[@DELT4606]

Thank you

[@world24sports]

Thank you for doing video in this topic, watching from Nepal 🇳🇵,Rest in peace to the all people who have been in the plane crashed 😢

[@richid7820]

Hey thank you for the video, very sad news today, I hope we will hear happier news in the next months, stay safe Denys, glad to see you again in this channel!!!!!

[@julzb7165]

Well explained Denys, great to see you back here. RIP to the victims of this dreadful tragedy.

[@Gemmalady]

Thank you for your succinct yet sensitive description of this accident. I’ve watched lots of your other videos, mostly of you flying hither and yon. Those are most enjoyable. Keep up the good work. Best wishes and safe travels!

[@25palex]

So happy to hear from you and see aviation content again! Hope you doing well

[@shirish3814]

Thank you for making this video, I found none other pilot covering this topic From Nepal!

[@Gianmaria_]

Such a tragic event... ;( Glad to see you back here, Denys. 🇺🇦

[@sveinfarstad3897]

Nice to have you back on this channel, nice video and good explanations Captain !

[@arnoudshort]

Thank you! You report in a very respectful way. What I found annoying is the large number of users on TikTok who deliberately (for the likes it seems?) post videos of obviously different planes, accidents, events etc. and thus confuse well-meaning and empathetic TikTok users, who then post condolences there, for example. Truly shameful that the posters of these videos seem to have no real moral sense, except of course those who sincerely thought they were posting (one of) the right videos.

[@Michael-gh4xl]

Hi Denys, Great perspectives and analysis. Thank you for your channel and onging videos, great to tune in. Best wishes from Australia.

[@Ian-lx1iz]

The pilot of YT-691 approached for a landing on runway 30, but changed his mind and went around, flying North West (hdg 325), with the intention to land on the opposite runway 12 instead. The plane performed a 90 degree turn around the Bhadrakali Temple, then flew approximately SSW (hdg 210) following the course, and on the west side of the Seti Gandaki river - almost overflying Runway 22 of the _OLD_ Pokhara airport. Moments after passing the Pokhara Football stadium on the port side, the pilot attempted a final 90 degree turn to line up on runway 12 ...as noted just 1 nautical mile away. It's MY opinion, that after rejecting the landing on Runway 30, the pilot decided to _wing_ a landing on Runway 12, and didn't do any formal landing plan or checklist for the new runway. To fly adjacent to the river like that, and expect to execute a 90 degree turn just 1 nm from the threshold with the aircraft already in landing configuration, seems exceedingly risky. I think that this accident is what Dan Gryder would call a DMMS failure. Although the aircraft was above stalling speed, it _wasn't_ above the minimum manoeuvering speed. That 90 turn to the runway caused the plane to stall and spin ...I reckon.

[@ululukululu450]

Great analysis.

[@Tarx66]

Airplanes doesnt turn 90 degrees. But was the pilot german, dutch or canadian origin?

[@Ian-lx1iz]

@@Tarx66 ¿Que? (They don't have reverse gear either. I wonder how they ever get to make return journeys?)

[@nasseemmuttur778]

Very plausible explanation.

[@zerosumequation]

Has anyone consider Pilot incapacitation due to covaxxine damage?

[@Pilot09]

Omg You finally aploaded a video on PILOT BLOG channel I wait so much Thanks

[@tjpowers88]

I really enjoy your content both this channel and Denys Davydov. I have always been fascinated by aviation as well, maybe one day I will fly you never know but, I will continue to watch your videos whatever the subject matter.

[@jaysingh05]

Thank you! Great initial analysis. RIP to all on board that ATR

[@PilotWanderlust]

May their souls rest in peace! Thanks for your ATR background info, Denys! Take care!

[@lizsmith1234]

Love to Ukraine from the UK 💛💙💛. Thank you Denys

[@jtsinspain]

Thank you for this advance analysis. I can see now that even if I had not found your channel following the February invasion my interest in aviation would have brought me to you sooner or later. I hope the investigation enables steps to be taken to prevent this kind of accident being repeated. My sincere condolences to all those bereaved. Blessings to all.

[@patolt1628]

What happiness to see you again on aviation matters! All the best to you and your family. Take care my friend.

[@anonymous9843]

I am 16 years old intrested in airplanes i told my family the same things you told in your video yesterday but they didn't believe me then I saw your video and showed to them then they believed that i was saying correct things

[@klausknupp5885]

Thank you, a very instructive, in depth and yet sensitive account of what could have gone wrong at Pokhara on Sunday. Klaus, Namibia

[@mishdakoz6878]

From Mexico 🇲🇽🇲🇽 prayer for the deceased and families that God gives them peace and comfort..🙏🙏🙏

[@phildicarlo2526]

Hey brother, It's nice to see you recording videos for this channel again! Although the reasons behind the video are quite saddening! I hope you and your family are having a good New Year so far and that you are all happy and in good health. God bless brother and God bless Ukraine!

[@klausknupp5885]

My family and I flew the same route with Yeti in December, however we still landed and departed from the old domestic airport. Yeti seemed very professional and we never felt in any danger, which contributed to our wonderful stay in Nepal.

[@NicolaW72]

Thank you very much for picking this very tragic accident up! Obviously something went seriously wrong here to get this Aircraft into a Stall and hopefully the Investigation will discover what.

[@HamBown]

Thank you for your excellent and highly informative review of this accident. Hopefully the data recorders will shed some light on what factors led to this crash.

[@Neil.Swinnerton]

Thank you for this excellent and informative presentation from an experienced and knowledgeable pilot. My condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

[@commerce-usa]

Denys, glad to learn your thoughts on this and to see a story on Pilot Blog. Would that this tragedy would not have been the reason. Stay safe and glory to Ukraine.

[@qzy123]

Excellent analysis. Glad to see you’re doing okay, and I hope we see more of you on the channel!

[@flipu2k]

Damn, I've flew that route from Kathmandu to Pokhara with that plane. RIP poor souls!

[@gordonrichardson2972]

Denys, thank you for your very thorough video. I usually watch Juan Browne (blancolirio), but yours adds a lot of aircraft specific details. P.S. I have watched many of your Ukraine videos, but it makes a change to hear you talk about something that you are so familiar with.

[@cedarkey]

It’ll be interesting to hear Juan’s analysis of the AA Boeing 777 incorrectly crossing an active runway 04L at JFK, considering it’s his own airline.

[@FutureSystem738]

Thanks Denys- nice to hear you again on a topic other than the disgraceful Russian war against your beautiful country. The war is so sad, and this crash is also sad. RIP. AND Slava Ukraine. 🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@mvd4436]

Yeah yeah. The US caused the war on purpose just like they are doing with Taiwan.

[@FutureSystem738]

@@mvd4436 Riiiiiiiiight. As if! What utter BS. Do you also believe 9-11 was a government job, and man didn’t walk on the moon, all done in a film studio?

[@bwhog]

And here, your quite extensive pilot training comes through! Nicely summarized, good information. Not being a pilot, I didn't think about the propeller but I had speculated that maybe there was a failure of one engine at just a critical time. I didn't notice the nose pitch up as you did and that adds to this mystery. However, in situations like this, I am well aware that it can often be difficult to tell what movements are caused by a system failure, the system responses to some failure or pilot error, and the pilot's actions to the circumstances they find themselves in. It could also be that the pilot was adjusting to the new approach pattern and deviated from the approach path (like not going wide enough of the airport to allow a slow, graceful turn), causing him to have to make a sharp correction at a bad moment. We will have to see if they can get good information from the recorders to figure out just what went wrong.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

no mystery in the nose up... it is the thing that started the sequence. nose up, angle of attack above 17 degrees, heavier loaded wing stalls, the plane spins... whilst the sequence is obvious only question is, was the plane possibly aft heavy, making an uncontrolled pitch-up happen as the speed lowered

[@MichaelCramer-id9ed]

Thank you Denys for your informative videos

[@denny-zenchiong296]

Belated Merry Christmas & Prosperous New Year Sir Captain Dennis Keep it the good works ✈❤ The Pilot

[@captaind6178]

I'm a pilot, now retired from a major US airline. I never flew the ATR, so I can only say that what you said WITH your experience on the ATR makes sense....pilot-to-pilot.

[@JBoy340a]

Thanks Denis. It is great to hear from someone that has time in the type.

[@thundarpheeshy]

Such a tragedy, my thoughts go out to them. Welcome back, Pilot. Bom Bom.

[@mlembrant]

Very well done, mr pilot, very detailed description. Rest In Peace to all the souls in the airplane

[@lesliesheppard8256]

Great synopsis report on this particular airplane and what may have happened. You're a wealth of information in the aviation industry.

[@user-fe6pb5te7o]

Здравствуйте Денис. Ну вот и дождались. Рад видеть Вас снова живым и здоровым на просторах интернета. 👋🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@wildlifenepal4818]

There is a rather confusing issue. The Pokhara international airport is oriented almost east-west. The flight was arriving from Kathmandu in the east. Being a new and bigger airport with only few domestic flights (no international flights yet), there is almost no air traffic. Why would you decide to make a 180 turn to make an approach from the west instead of a more convenient east approach? That too in a narrow valley surrounded by mountains. Even according to the media reports, the control tower had advised the crew to approach from the east which they agreed initially. But later the crew asked for permission to approach from the west. And the crew never called for any emergency issues. Its a really tragic yet equally weird accident from that perspective.

[@daffidavit]

We don't know the wind direction yet. It's possible the wind was favoring runway 12. Light winds are not a big deal, but if the winds were significant, it likely was the proper call to land on RW 12. We'll have to wait and see what the investigation reveals. My prayers go out for the families and the deceased.

[@wildlifenepal4818]

I was just wondering if the crew just wanted to give their passengers a great view of Himalayas to their north before landing. If so it would make this incident even more unfortunate. I mean even if it was a technical failure that occurred just before touchdown (could be even worse if there were human errors as well), I wonder if they might have landed the plane with runway 36 approach before the failure would have occurred.

[@youregonnaattackthem]

Right? This looks more like an attempted go around than final approach as they were past the airport

[@hb1338]

@@wildlifenepal4818 Maybe the crew rejected the approach to runway 30 for safety reasons.

[@hb1338]

@@youregonnaattackthem No. They rejected the first approach several minutes before the crash occurred, then circled round to approach from the opposite direction. The crash occurred on the turn to short final.

[@Doubleelforbes]

Although the circumstances are tragic, it is nice to see you back doing what you were meant to be!

[@valjatriogina228]

You mean he retired from being the ghost of Kiev?

[@majungasaurusaaaa]

Looks like at least 3 ruzzian pilots have just become ghosts. @@valjatriogina228

[@sizan2642]

Thank you for making a video on this topic. Watching from Nepal

[@robertblake7145]

Thank you for a detailed explanation of the tragic event as well as the aerodynamics of this aircraft. Your presentation was informative, organized and sensitive to those involved. Your experience with that plane makes your presentation extremely good. Bob

[@garrycollins3415]

As a retired pilot I appreciate you withholding judgement and speculation.

[@polishkwiekster]

Late to the party Denys but wow I loved hearing about aviation from you!

[@sergiuszwinogrodzki6569]

Denys, I'm watching your other channel and I had no idea that you were a pilot. My mind just blown.

[@gavanwhatever8196]

From the internal footage you can geolocate the last view out of the window: 28.201984° 83.987696°. Earlier on you can also see the arena. From the external footage you can see high angle of attack, then the bank, then the stall. I think the plane was flying base in a line similar to the approach to the domestic airport and was about a third of the way down that runway when the pilot turned final for the runway 12 at the international airport. Had no energy. Stalled the port wing.

[@partha1331]

So, likely pilot mistake?

[@hb1338]

@@partha1331 Trying to land a commercial aircraft on a short final of about 1 mile is not good practice. Unless there were other factors at work, it is not a good look for the pilots.

[@maannnoooo]

The airport was newly built & the pilot was quite experienced .The same pilot had made Demo flight just a couple of days ago. And the weather was very clear. One Indian national guy was doing Facebook live from within the plane. Nepal’s media has confirmed the authenticity of the video footage . For the accurate authenticity Police are trying to contact Facebook for the real time video footage information. Soon everything will be out. We had earlier crashes due to the high terrain & coz of bad weather. Never heard like this before. Rest in peace all departed souls! Thank you for the coverage! Please do also make another video after the full investigations is carried out. As you are a pilot would be great to hear from your perspective! From Nepal!

[@richardgilman4602]

Denys, excellent initial analysis. I expect you will follow up with the results of the official investigation to close the loop.

[@gilbertfranklin1537]

Excellent presentation with the limited information from the investigation. I am now a subscriber, and will look forward to more videos of this quality.

[@lasttrimestr49califos89]

Always interested in your take on aviation, Denis. RIP and God speed to the people that have lost their lives. Flying will always have that element of risk no matter what the engineers develope for safety. Thank you for your explanations of how accidents occur in spite of our best human efforts.

[@keikoo1856]

Great to see you back captain!!!

[@taquiupa]

Nice video. I"m a private pilot (VRF only) here in Brazil. Liked and subscribed already. Cheers.

[@mikemicksun6469]

I remember the one were the pilot shut down the good engine. Turns out a circuit board on one of the engines had a bad solder joint and the prop feathered after takeoff. The captain did not did not preform the proper procedures to fine out what engine had a problem and shut down the good engine. Its was the newer version with the nice displays and is very helpful to trouble shoot and run check lists. I think he lacked proper training on the new system. Nice to see one of your videos you do a great job.

[@Pilot-hr1rp]

Hey Dennis, love your videos and your updates in Ukraine. I do wish we go back to better times soon and go back to what we love. Im also an ATR 72 Captain and TRE. My thoughts on the cause are either of the following 1. Crew entered the base to final turn too slow, below bugged speed at flaps 15 causing them to stall on the turn to final. The facebook live stream do show the flap set at 15 deg on the base leg (using the stadium as reference for alignment) 2. Aircraft had an engine failure on approach or a lo pitch in flight scenario where crew got startled, initiated a go around, pitched up then entered a vmc roll Lot of talk about the airplane still at flaps 15 at this point but some carriers dont select flaps 30 till final assuming that this crew flew it like a circling approach. I am hoping it would be scenario 2 in that at least its not only crew error that would be the sole cause but scenario 1 is highly likely. Waiting for further updates if they had mechanical problem recorded on the fdr or not.

[@jappieman6733]

The video of that passenger inside the plane isn’t from this particular crash. Yet airlines has red seats (you could that on a selfie taken by a russion journalist just before take-off) and the plane in the video is a low-wing plane, while the ATR that crashed is a high wing plane. That video was from another crash.

[@velankannitoday7641]

O God...

[@princejesterful]

Thank you Denys, very sad news

[@sohamsatoskar3668]

Hi. welcome back pilot blog. Congratulations for 1.14m subscribers we will keep supporting you ahead.🥰🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️♥️♥️.

[@otclips354]

This channel has been hacked. His new real KZbin channel is Denys Davydov. He is not able to do anything with airplanes or piloting right now, as he is a Ukrainian citizen in Ukraine currently.

[@superstar8162]

Danys - you are the best. You explained it so well.

[@billnelson3732]

Nice video Deny! On the video of the crash aircraft, I don't see any flaps which could explain the stall as well. Terrible loss, stay safe my friend.

[@timcargile1562]

Excellent video and failure analysis includin similar stall situations. Keep up to good work!

[@johnmoss8230]

Rip 🙏 to all who lost their life. Great to see you sir wish it was on better circumstances thank you for the video into what happened. You and your family stay safe captain

[@garycummings9087]

Thanks for this video Denys... I'm an avid watcher of your Ukraine war channel and you do a great job over there too. I also love all things aviation so to have your input on this channel too is a bonus. Have earned my sub to this channel too. Keep up the great work. Slava Ukraini.

[@wkuntjoro6130]

Good review from you. A lot of technical info and thank you so much for being so respectful.

[@BackpackeRom]

glad to find you here Denys. Been a subscriber on your daily updates about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Stay awesome my friend. Greetings from Tanzania.

[@walt8089]

Analysis by another YT pilot noticed the full right aileron input along with high angle of attack which aggravated the stall. He said no aileron input plus full right rudder and nose push could have prevented this crash ? (Of course airspeed factors in there too) So Very Sad for passengers and crew 😓 Thank You for this video.

[@robertshedlin9791]

Agree. Only full right rudder and nose down. Is a recovery at this altitude (density altitude) even possible? I wonder who was the pilot flying. Right seat--low experience? Did they overshoot the rwy 12 centerline with unfortunate results? I don't buy an engine issue and this was obvioulsy not an ILS approach (or a properly stabilized approach) . CVR should be tragically revealing.

[@Aviationlifestyle24]

Hi captain, I am commenting after a very long time. I don't know if you remember me but I am the old Mohammed Ammar. I used to be in your live streams, comment on almost every video, and also I was there in your live talk on discord you kept when you reached 100,000 subscribers. It's very sad to hear that 68 people lost their life, My deepest condolences to the victims of the crash.

[@rickrick70]

My brother thank you for this wonderful video rest in peace to all on board and please continue to stay safe check your planes check your instruments and God be with you when you are in the sky.

[@williamstade8901]

Thank you for posting.

[@xoseantonio9248]

Very good explanation, there are no channels that give you the infomacoin that you give. Congratulations

[@CLdriver1960]

Similar circumstance in Colgan 3407. The aircraft was on final approach and configuring landing gear, flaps, and props for landing. The speed decayed rapidly, and was not corrected by the PF. Stick shaker activation, numerous stick pusher events (improper pilot input/recovery) caused a stall and wing drop. Very sad accidents.

[@TheKaidynB]

Did a little research and yeti along with their subsidiaries are quite sketchy. I saw a video on Reddit from someone who was on board. Eerie to say the least. It gives off Colgan air 3407 vibes. From the video I watched it looked like a stall. May they all Rest in peace.

[@MerlynAStern]

Yes, after watching the video a few days ago, the first thing I thought was that it went into a stall. The engines seemed to be turning, but perhaps the air speed was not high enough. The nose at the very end was too high, and it stalled tragically.

[@EllenRichter]

Interesting analysis! You would be a good expert witness in aviation litigation. You have a very nice way of explaining complex things to ordinary (non-aviation) people! Thanks for the informative video, Denys! 😃 And, of course, Slava Ukraine!

[@nurim.4439]

USA airlines also had a lot of fatal aviation accidents, or you got amnesia about it?

[@roddyrobertson5393]

@@nurim.4439 Seriously?

[@jamesbong4928]

@@nurim.4439 Maybe you didn't understand but the post blamed absolutely zero on the beautiful country of Nepal. Namaste x

[@kenk7451]

He's useless.

[@julieleimkuehler1409]

@@nurim.4439 That's pretty defensive given the fact that nothing has been blamed on Nepal. And the US had a lot of crashes in the 70s and 80s. That's a long time ago.

[@krishnamahadev4208]

Well explained but i like you honesty of not jumping to conclusions too many times people tend to point out pilots error who are not there to defend themselves,sadly the Co pilot had lost her husband 16 years ago to a plane crash and this was her promotion flight to Captain...REST in Peace to all souls.

[@Trevor_Austin]

Even if this was “pilot error” that should merely point to the start of the investigation. Why did they make a mistake?

[@jamesgoodman4457]

The crash was recorded from inside the aircraft via Facebook live. Rest in peace to those who perished

[@a64738]

Yes... Do not watch the live stream video from the crash inside the airplane, the ending is most disturbing with seeing the flames engulf the camera until it ends ...

[@jamesgoodman4457]

@@a64738 it was terrifying

[@rzdz2325]

that was fake video

[@adlibconstitution1609]

@@rzdz2325 fake?

[@orekii8504]

@@rzdz2325 no it’s not, the guy recording was a confirmed passenger

[@leokimvideo]

The in cabin video does tell much about the state of the aircraft. What you don't hear is engine noise. It sounds like both engines were set at flight idle and the flaps not at a correct setting considering how close they were to landing. A real investigator will look into all available evidence

[@mauricehodgson3143]

Yeah! I was wondering about the flaps, cannot see much on video.

[@aviationislife1270]

Glad to see you again Captain

[@Jjengering]

Very sad. Thanks for giving your perspective on this. When I first saw it, I immediately thought it's a classic stall and spin. You make some good points about false glide slope. If you freeze frame the video you can see what looks like opposite aileron input when they lose the left wing (stall). We know aileron is the worst thing to use in a stall, perhaps it could have been poor energy management or an engine failure. It's so difficult to say, but I'll be interested to see the initial/final report.

[@NicolaW72]

Indeed, exactly.

[@morphous]

A Yeti Airlines registration 9N-ANC(ATR-72) performing flight YT-691 from Kathmandu to Pokhara (Nepal) with 68 passengers and 4 crew, was on final approach to Pokhara's International Airport's runway 12 when the aircraft stalled, impacted ground between the old Pokhara and the new Pokhara International Airport, fell into a ravine and burst into flames about 1.12nm ahead of the runway threshold at about 11:05L (05:20Z). All 72 occupants died in the crash. [Timeline] The flight was operated by two Captains, one Captain was in the process of obtaining aerodrome familiarization for operating into Pokhara and the other Captain being the instructor pilot. The Captain being familiarized, who was occupying the left hand seat, was the Pilot Flying (PF) and the instructor pilot, occupying the right hand seat, was the Pilot Monitoring (PM). 1. Normal Flight condition, during T/O and Cruize. 2. During Descent, the PF disengaged the Autopilot System at an altitude of 721 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). The PF then called for “FLAPS 30” and the PM replied, “Flaps 30 and descending”. The flight data recorder (FDR) data did not record any flap surface movement at that time. Instead, the propeller rotation speed (Np) of both engines decreased simultaneously to less than 25% and the torque (Tq) started decreasing to 0%, which is consistent with both propellers going into the feathered condition. 3. On the cockpit voice recorder area microphone recording, a single Master Caution chime was recorded. The flight crew then carried out the “Before Landing Checklist” before starting the left turn onto the base leg. During that time, the power lever angle increased from 41% to 44%. At the point, Np of both propellers were recorded as Non-Computed Data (NCD) in the FDR and the torque (Tq) of both engines were at 0%. When propellers are in feather, they are not producing thrust. 4. When the radio altitude callout for five hundred feet3 was annunciated, the aircraft reached a maximum bank angle of 30 degrees at this altitude. The yaw damper disconnected four seconds later. The PF consulted the PM on whether to continue the left turn and the PM replied to continue the turn. Subsequently, the PF asked the PM on whether to continue to descend and the PM responded it was not necessary and instructed to apply a little power. 5. When ATC gave the clearance for landing, the PF mentioned twice that there was no power coming from the engines. 6. It is noted that the PF handed over control of the aircraft to the PM, the PM (who was previously the PF) repeated again that there was no power from the engines. When the aircraft was at 311 feet AGL, the stick shaker was activated warning the crew that the aircraft Angle of Attack (AoA) increased up to the stick shaker threshold. 7. A second sequence of stick shaker warning was activated when the aircraft banked towards the left abruptly. Thereafter, the radio altitude alert for two hundred feet was annunciated, and the cricket sound and stick shaker ceased. At 10:57:32, the sound of impact was heard in the CVR. The FDR and CVR stopped recording. So, it looks like the PM retarded the prop lever instead of flap lever without looking the exact lever for flap.

[@johntrauger68]

Thank you for your professional analysis of this tragedy. RIP all souls onboard.

[@130sogair]

Thank you so much for your analysis

[@jordan65730]

Hi Denys, TBM700 pilot here. I was curious if that model ATR has envelope protection in the A/P with regards to airspeed. If you flew that model on a coupled ILS approach but had power set too low, would it just stall out? If it was indeed on glideslope, I'm guessing that perhaps with the course reversal when they changed runway, pilot came in fast on the ILS, went to a very low power setting to bleed off airspeed and then forgot to add power back in resulting in the stall.

[@WOTArtyNoobs]

Denys, someone had a video camera operating inside the cabin at the same time as the crash. He filmed the tight turn to port and then it rolled over and kept rolling until it hit the ground and exploded. The camera kept operating throughout the crash. The passengers were aware that something was wrong as it rolled over, but they could not do anything and impact took place only a second or two after the roll started. It does appear that the roll was uncontrolled as it continued at a steady rate throughout until impact. This would suggest that the crash was a mechanical failure rather than a pilot error and the pilot's were unable to correct the roll. I don't have a link for the in cabin camera, but it was seen on several American news channels.

[@manash777]

Hi sir...after a long long time ✨️

[@robertwhyst]

Nice and fair analysis Denys 👍 A terrible accident, and very sad indeed. May those who perished rest in peace. One can't assume nothing without a proper air crash investigation rapport, but if we exclude pilot error at this stage, it looks like the port engine may have had either a technical problem or a fuel starvation problem (this can even happen with brand new airframes) ...and due to the low attitude and actual airspeed required for the landing approach procedure of this particular aircraft, it would be difficult to recover at such a short notice of any problems occurring with either of the engines ... from the video it's clear that the port side stalled, causing the aircraft to rotate on it's longitude axis ... and ended up upside down before hitting the ground. Take off and Landing are the most dangerous manoeuvres, as all pilots will be well aware of. Given the fact that altitude, attitude and airspeed are crucial at those stages ... and if pilot error can be excluded in this assumed assessment, the flight crew would not had enough time to respond as such. But this is purely an assumption, and we simply can't do that at this stage. And of course, Slava Ukraine.

[@hb1338]

You have absolutely NO basis on which to exclude pilot error. There is information about the plane's track in the public domain, and that information makes pilot error look like a very significant contributory factor.

[@raywest3834]

Regardless of engine power, pilot error is the most likely cause of this crash. Every pilot knows that airspeed is critical at low altitude, and banking whilst flying low and slow has resulted in many crashes. Possibly the pilots were distracted and let the airspeed drop off, possibly they thought they had full flaps and did not, but you HAVE TO push the nose down to avoid the stall, even if you don't have ANY power and can't make the runway. Maintaining flying speed is always your first priority.

[@robertwhyst]

@@raywest3834 Regardless of what may have happened ... one can only draw a definite conclusion once the official air accident investigation team / teams, have thoroughly investigated all evidence .... anything else is an assumption..(btw I've had my PPL for over 30 years)

[@raywest3834]

@@robertwhyst Of course no one is trying to draw a definite conclusion, but most pilots will try to figure out the cause of an accident based on the initial evidence, and pilot error is the most likely cause in this instance, as stalling near the ground is the most serious situation a pilot can allow to happen, and is preventable in almost every case.

[@robertwhyst]

@@hb1338 The reason why I omitted pilot error, was not to exclude it, but out of respect for the crew members not to point any fingers to that as of yet, due the absence of any official investigation ... and first merely find out what really went on or happened. Thus, if pilot error is excluded out of respect for all who perished (including the pilot) ... not excluding pilot error as in the pilot didn't make any erroneous decisions (as he may well have done etc.).