Plane with 21 aboard missing in Nepal

Kathmandu, Feb 24 (IANS) An aircraft with 21 people, including two foreigners, on board went missing in Nepal on Wednesday, an official said.

"The plane took off from Pokhara at 7.47 a.m. The aircraft lost contact once it reached Goahapani area of Kaski district," Deputy Director of Pokhara Airport Yogendra Kuwar told IANS.

The search operation for Tara Viking 9H-AHH Twin Otter aircraft, flying to Jomsom town from Pokhara city, has begun, Xinhua reported.

Tara Air said it has received reports of a missing plane. Two helicopters have been sent to find the missing plane, said Chief District Officer of Kaski district, Hari Prasad Mainali.

"An army helicopter and a helicopter of Dynasty Air have already been sent for the search operation," said Bhim Raj Rai, Media Officer at Tara Airlines.

As many as 18 passengers were on board the plane, two were foreigners. However, the nationalities were yet not known. Three crew members were also on the aircraft.

"Weather of both Pokhara and Jomsom is fine today (Wednesday). So we have no clue about what went wrong," Rai said.

The aircraft was added to the fleet last September.