A small cargo plane operated by Nepal’s Makalu Airlines has crashed, killing both the pilot and co-pilot on board.

After departing from Surkhet to Simikot in Humla district, Nepal, on 16 May, the aircraft bearing the sign 9N-AUJ went missing for hours.

It was found crashed in Bahunkharka area of Humla after four hours. The pilots were the only passengers on board the crashed plane.

“Airport officials said that the aircraft was expected to reach Simikot in the early hours of the day, but it lost contact with ground staff just a few minutes before landing.”

According to a media report cited by Press Trust of India, Kathmandu, the single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan plane was flying at an altitude of 12,800ft on the day of its crash.

Tribhuvan International Airport spokesperson Prem Nath Thakur was quoted by Xinhua as saying: “The aircraft has been crashed while both pilot and co-pilot on-board have died. Preparations are underway to airlift their bodies to Kathmandu.”

Airport officials said that the aircraft was expected to reach Simikot in the early hours of the day, but it lost contact with ground staff just a few minutes before landing.

Thakur further added: “We are yet to ascertain the cause of the crash. We will launch the investigation soon.”

Two months ago, a US-Bangla aircraft crashed at Nepal’s international airport and claimed the lives of 51 people, injuring more than a dozen.

Humla is one of the most remote and isolated districts in Nepal’s Karnali region and it can only be accessed by small aircraft. It is also the country’s last district to be connected by road.