A Russian pilot died after an ultralight aircraft crashed at Chapakot-6 in Kaski district on Wednesday.

Senior pilot and instructor Alexandar Maximov, 62, died during treatment at Gandaki Teaching Hospital while his passenger Jillene Marie Volker, 27, of Canada sustained serious injuries. Volker was admitted to Civic Hospital in Lakeside, Pokhara.

Maximov was a senior pilot and instructor for Avia Club Nepal. He was affiliated with the club for past 14 years.

“The pilot apparently lost control of the aircraft after the hang glider’s rope snapped during flight. Details about the incident will be known after technicians have completely examined the crashed aircraft,” said Police Inspector Mohanmani Adhikari.

A technical team from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has reached Pokhara to examined the crashed aircraft, said Bhola Prasad Guragain, the director of CAAN, Pokhara.