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Early on Sunday morning, a small passenger plane fell out of the sky in Pokhara, Nepal, resulting in the deaths of at least 68 people. Among them was an Australian, along with 57 Nepalis, five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one person each from Argentina, Ireland and France.
This is the worst aviation disaster Nepal has experienced in decades. Unfortunately, the mountainous country has long grappled with aviation safety problems. Since 2000, over 350 people have perished in small-scale plane crashes; the European Union has had Nepali carriers on its safety ban list for a decade now.
A range of factors has contributed to Nepal’s poor aviation safety record, writes aviation expert Chrystal Zhang from RMIT University. Dramatic topography and unpredictable weather conditions are part of the tale, but so is a fast-growing appetite for domestic flights that has outpaced the development of safe, modern aviation infrastructure.
Despite all this, Nepal has been stepping up its efforts by making improvements to airports and equipment, and by fostering a more robust safety culture.
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Signe Dean
Science + Technology Editor
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Chrystal Zhang, RMIT University
A tragic plane crash has claimed at least 68 lives in Nepal – the latest in a string of aviation disasters in a country grappling with improving the safety of its flight industry.
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Bridget Backhaus, Griffith University; Kerrie Foxwell-Norton, Griffith University
Both when disaster strikes and when climate change has more everyday impacts, community radio stations play a leading role in helping locals understand and adapt to the challenges they face.
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Nick Fuller, University of Sydney
We always hear the last five kilos are the hardest to lose when dieting. The number is made up, but the principle is correct – it’s called the weight-loss plateau.
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Luzita Fereday, Edith Cowan University
Viewers of the Golden Globes noticed the actor can’t seem to shake his Elvis voice – but apparently that’s a real issue for performers.
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Ian Kemish, The University of Queensland
The security treaty signed last week is the logical next step in the two countries’ relationship. But Australia’s interests in PNG should remain broad-based.
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Alexander Howard, University of Sydney
Bret Easton Ellis’s first novel in 13 years blurs fact and fiction, mining his youth for material. The result is Joan Didion meets Brian De Palma.
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Jonathan Entin, Case Western Reserve University
There is no federal recall law that could lead to another election for Santos’ seat. But Santos’ case presents ethics concerns that the House may review.
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Libby Richards, Purdue University; Melissa Franks, Purdue University; Rosie Shrout, Purdue University
Most marriage and health studies have focused on married men and women. But more recent studies examine relationships in which partners have the same gender identity, the same biological sex and who are gender diverse.
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Sarah Mills, Loughborough University; Sophie Milnes, Loughborough University
More countries are using ‘national service’, whether they are military or civic programmes.
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Milton Mermikides, University of Surrey; John McGrath, University of Surrey
Two guitar experts break down the techniques and creative expression that led Beck to be known as the ‘guitarist’s guitarist’.
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Politics + Society
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Toni Hay, Indigenous Knowledge; Courtney-Jay Williams, Indigenous Knowledge
The Kimberley region of Western Australia is currently being devastated by flooding. Remote communities need more support with prevention and recovery plans.
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Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato
It is a war crime to intentionally attack aid workers, but providing aid in a war zone where force is used indiscriminately and mercenaries operate with scant regard to rules is extremely risky.
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Health + Medicine
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Michael Freeman, Bond University
The first six months after an injury or surgery is critical for scar prevention and treatment.
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Science + Technology
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Alessandro Palci, University of Adelaide; Emma Sherratt, University of Adelaide; Mike Lee, Flinders University
Less than a century ago, a slither of tiger snakes was abandoned on one of Western Australia’s tiny islets. Here’s how they adapted to survive.
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Environment + Energy
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Toni Hay, Indigenous Knowledge; Courtney-Jay Williams, Indigenous Knowledge
The Kimberley region of Western Australia is currently being devastated by flooding. Remote communities need more support with prevention and recovery plans.
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Books + Ideas
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Isabelle Hesse, University of Sydney; Ned Curthoys, The University of Western Australia
Coming of age stories in young adult and graphic novels can provide ways of thinking about a seemingly intractable conflict.
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