US Marines release findings on chopper crash in Nepal quake

Tokyo: An investigation into a US military helicopter crash that killed 13 people during earthquake rescue operations in Nepal has found that the likely cause was the crew's decision to use the most direct route to bring out the injured, taking the flight over unfamiliar terrain in bad weather.

US Marines based in Japan said in a news release today that the UH-1Y "Huey" helicopter is believed to have been either enveloped by rapidly developing clouds or lifted into a cloud by air currents before crashing in the mountainous area on May 12.

All 13 on board died, including six Marines, two Nepalese soldiers and five injured civilians.

The US relief mission was deployed after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, killing more than 8,200 people.