http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=121310
NAC sacrifices goats to fix technical snag
BY KRISHNA REGMI
KATHMANDU, Sept 3 - Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) failed to rid itself of the recurring technical problem in its Boeing-757 aircraft, despite its engineering department's untiring efforts.
But believe it or not, Chief of NAC engineering department, PBS Kansakar found the root cause of the problem in his dream last night: God was angry as the corporation had not appeased him by sacrificing goats.
Then, the corporation Sunday decided to worship Lord Bhairavnath, and sacrificed two goats-- one black and another white-so that all would be well with its aircraft.
The sacrifice was offered at NAC's hanger at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) at around 3:45 pm. NAC top bosses, including Managing Director Gautam Das Shrestha were present to offer worship and goat blood to the deity, said an NAC official. "The decision to sacrifice was made after Kansakar consulted with the top management this morning."
The NAC aircraft whose flights had often been cancelled was again grounded last night after its two attempted flights to Hong Kong failed due to repetition of the problem in the anti-ice device.
After operating flights to Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, the aircraft flew for Hong Kong at 8:30 pm last night. "When the aircraft reached 31,000 feet over Biratnagar, its anti-ice devise was switched on. But it would not respond, leading to diversion of the flight to Kathmandu," said Captain Y.K. Bhattarai.
"With two hours maintenance, the engineering department said the problem was fixed. It again flew at around midnight. After flying for around 15 minutes, we checked whether the device was functioning or not at 20,000 feet. But it was not. So, we returned for the second time."
With the problem repeating time and again, the passengers are afraid to fly NAC. "In the first flight, there were 129 passengers. The number was reduced to 95 in the second flight, as passengers became scared," said Bhattarai.
An official at the corporation said passengers have demanded re-routing of their flight as they are afraid to take the NAC flight.
Meanwhile, NAC staffers, including senior officials detained Bikash Karki, a photographer of Kantipur Publications while he was returning after taking photos of the sacrifice.
He was later handed to the TIA security. The TIA freed him, charging him a fine of Rs 226. "I took photos, as other officials were taking photographs using their mobile sets," said Karki.
NAC engineering department officials who snatched his camera and mobile set have not returned them yet. When contacted, Kansakar first said he did not have any idea about the equipment. But, after repeated inquiry, he conceded he had the camera and cell phone.
