A TWIN OTTER PASSENGER PLANE BELONGING TO A PRIVATE NEPALI AIRLINE CRASHED MINUTES BEFORE LANDING IN THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY ON WEDNESDAY, KILLING ALL NINE PEOPLE ON BOARD, AIRPORT OFFICIALS SAID. THE YETI AIRLINES PLANE WAS GOING FROM SURKHET TO JUMLA, ABOUT 350 KM (220 MILES) WEST OF KATHMANDU. "THE PLANE WAS ON FIRE. BUT POLICE REACHED ON TIME AND DOUSED THE FLAMES," AN OFFICIAL TOLD REUTERS. "IT CRASHED AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS SAW THE PLANE APPROACHING TO LAND," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH WAS NOT KNOWN. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME WAS GOOD, HE SAID. THE VICTIMS INCLUDED SIX PASSENGERS AND THREE CREW, ALL NEPALI.
