KATHMANDU, Aug 22 (AFP) - A light plane carrying 18 people, 13 of them tourists, crashed in western Nepal enroute to a popular tourist destination Thursday, a civil aviation official told Nampa-AFP.

The plane, belonging to a private airliner Shangrila Air, went missing 20 minutes before it was due to land at Pokhara airport, 225 kilometres (360 miles) west of Kathmandu.

Rescue helicopters have been sent to the suspected crash site, he said.

"The aircraft has crashed at a place called Krishti Nache, Shanti Stupa" -- about five kilometres (3 miles) from Pokhara," the official said.

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Nampa-AFP WEB story ENDS (NAMPA 220745)