Footage shows deadly helicopter collision on Mount Everest

Two helicopters collided while attempting to land at a high-altitude helipad near Mount Everest, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries, according to the consolidated reports from multiple outlets covering the same event on November 3, 2026. The incident occurred as two privately operated AS350 helicopters approached the Pheriche helipad in Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, a key stop along the Everest trekking route.

The two aircraft involved were identified by CAAN and other outlets as an Air Dynasty Heli Service helicopter, registered 9N-AOD, and a Fishtail Air helicopter, registered 9N-AJR. The Air Dynasty helicopter had reportedly arrived from Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport, while the Fishtail Air machine had departed Gorakshep and was carrying two foreign passengers. In at least one report, the Air Dynasty helicopter was described as carrying no passengers at the time of the collision. Both aircraft were described as AS350 single-engine models participating in high-altitude operations in the Everest region.

Authorities reported the collision occurred around 8:11 to 8:12 a.m. local time, with the incident taking place at the Pheriche helipad, situated at approximately 4,200 meters (around 13,780 feet) above sea level. Some updates noted alternative elevation figures for the location, but all consistently place the event at the Everest-area landing site used by trekkers and climbers. No fire erupted in the aftermath of the impact according to the available material.

The casualty picture, as confirmed by official sources, includes a 47-year-old Indian national who was killed in the crash. An additional passenger, described as a New Zealander of Indian origin, sustained injuries and was evacuated for medical treatment along with the pilots of both helicopters. Nepal’s district police and CAAN indicated that the injured individuals were evacuated by air. The victim’s body was reportedly flown to Lukla for a planned transfer to Kathmandu for a post-mortem examination. Details about the total number of people aboard each helicopter were not consistently specified across sources, but multiple outlets corroborated that there were injuries on one or both aircraft and that at least the Indian national had died.

Emergency response and investigation efforts were underway, with Nepalese police and civil aviation authorities stating that investigations would determine the causes of the collision. CAAN officials confirmed the incident and indicated that the cause remained undetermined at that time, with an investigation initiated to uncover contributing factors. Local police described high-altitude operations as inherently challenging, noting the demanding environment around Everest and the busy autumn trekking season during which the collision occurred.

Context on the setting and ongoing operations in the Everest region was provided by several outlets. The Pheriche location lies along the main trekking route to Everest base camp, and the region is characterized by limited road access, relying heavily on helicopter transport for passenger movements, altitude-sickness evacuations, and supplies. The reports underscored that the autumn season is among the busiest periods for Everest-area helicopter activity, highlighting the broader safety and operational pressures present in the area.

Several reports also noted prior high-altitude helicopter incidents in the Everest region and emphasized that helicopters play a crucial role in moving trekkers who fall ill or become exhausted at extreme elevations, as roads do not exist in much of the area. While some outlets provided broader historical context, none of the material offered a definitive cause for the collision itself. News agencies and outlets including AeroTime, AirLive, CBS News, Simple Flying, and ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation all attributed similar basic facts to their coverage, with minor variations in detail and phrasing but no conflicting core findings on the event, the location, or the immediate outcomes.

In the immediate aftermath, medical evacuation efforts involved air transportation for the injured, and authorities reported that one body was transported for post-mortem processing in Kathmandu, with the rest of the injured parties evacuated for treatment. Police statements attributed the timing to the moment of impact, with the collision occurring as both aircraft were maneuvering toward the same landing zone at the Pheriche helipad. The investigation was described as ongoing, with officials seeking to determine the sequence of events and any contributing factors related to high-altitude flight operations in the Everest region.

As the situation developed, aviation authorities and local law enforcement emphasized that further updates would come through official channels and press briefings. The incident marked another high-profile accident in Nepal’s Everest corridor during a period of heavy helicopter traffic supporting trekkers and climbers, with the region’s challenging terrain and weather conditions repeatedly cited as complicating factors in high-altitude aviation. The material made clear that initial reports did not specify the exact flight paths, altitude at the moment of impact, or the precise number of people aboard each helicopter beyond the confirmed fatality and injuries.