Kathmandu, Feb. 28 -- The crash of an Air Dynasty helicopter in the eastern mountain region of Taplejung on Wednesday-killing all seven aboard-is the second fatal chopper crash in Nepal's skies in just six months. At least 19 fatal crashes of helicopters have taken place across the country since the aviation authorities started keeping records, in 1966, of flight operations.

Wednesday's accident comes as another blow to the country's flight safety record just as the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the country's aviation regulator, has been attempting to introduce-but struggling to implement-safety reforms. The tragedy, which killed the country's tourism minister and a prominent businessman along with other officials, has once again ra...