Survivors were flown by helicopter to a local hospital (Santosh Pokharal/Associated Press)

The plane's crew- 2 pilots and a flight attendant- were all Nepalese. The passengers were 16 Indian and 2 Danish citizens, both of whom survived, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Four survivors were flown by helicopter to Pokhara for treatment.

The rescue was quick as the plane crashed near an army camp at Jomsom. 125 miles north west of Kathmandu, Jomsom Airport is a gateway to a popular tourist and trekking destination.

Because of limited road networks, air travel is popular in Nepal. Many communities, particularly those isolated in high mountain ranges, are accessible only by air, the Daily Mail reported. 

Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai expressed grief over the incident. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and wished survivors a speedy recovery, according to the Himalayan Times.