Preparations are underway to airlift Captain Prakash Kumar Sedhai, who was injured in a Manang Air chopper crash, to India for further treatment.

In a statement on Saturday, the Dhumbarahi-based HAMS Hospital, where the pilot is undergoing treatment, said preparations are underway to airlift him to the National Burns Centre in Mumbai, India for further treatment in consultations with his family and the helicopter company.

The statement, undersigned by Dr Sabin Koirala, consultant intensivist at the hospital, said the pilot sustained burn injuries in 45 to 50 percent of his body including his face, hands and legs. Sedhai also has medical issues with his lungs, spinal cord and kidneys, according to the statement.

A helicopter of Manang Air flying towards Solukhumbhu crashed in Lobuche on Saturday morning.

According to Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the chopper with the call sign 9N-ANJ had taken off for Solukhumbhu from Lukla at 7:13am to pick up passengers.

The chopper caught fire after it crashed during descent.

The reason for the crash has not been ascertained yet. Manang Air in a statement said it will start working in coordination with the relevant bodies to find out the cause of the accident.

The civil aviation body has suspended the air operator certificate of Manang Air until further notice. A four-member committee has been formed for the investigation of the crash, it said.