The data from flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder of the Yeti Airlines plane that crashed in Pokhara, Nepal has revealed an engine problem as the reason behind the crash.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has clarified that the first analysis of the flight data recorders has shown that the propellers of both engines were put into the feather position prior to the crash.
The pitch of the blades on a propeller engine can be altered so that the blade is almost parallel to the oncoming airflow. This phenomenon is known as feathering. On an aircraft such as the ATR 72-500, propellers would normally be feathered in flight in the event of engine failure in order to decrease drag and, significantly increase gliding distance.
It is still not clear as to what caused the propellers on the aircraft to be feathered. The engines on the aircraft were manufactured by Pratt & Whitney Canada and the technical advisor from Pratt & Whitney is already on-site to assist with the investigation.
On January 15, the Yeti Airlines bound for Pokhara International Airport crashed into Seti Gorge, around one kilometer from the airport. All 68 passengers and four crew members onboard were killed in the crash, making it the deadliest aviation incident in Nepal for over 30 years.