Authorities find black box after deadly Nepal plane crash

Authorities have recovered the black box from the regional passenger plane that crashed moments before it landed in Nepal, killing at least 68 people.

There were 72 people, including an Australian, aboard the plane when it crashed into a gorge while landing at a newly opened airport in Pokhara, marking Nepal's deadliest aviation accident in three decades.

The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were both found in "good condition" and handed to the civil aviation authority on Monday, officials said.

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Black boxes can be essential for investigators to identify why a crash occurred and reconstruct the events that lead to the incident.

It remains unclear what caused the crash.

Sydney teacher Myron Love is feared to be among the victims as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade urgently works to find out if he survived.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of reports an Australian was on board the Yeti Airlines flight which crashed in Nepal on Sunday 15 January," the spokesperson told 9News.

"The Australian Embassy is urgently seeking to confirm the welfare of the Australian."

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Harrowing mission to recover bodies

Nepal has started a day of mourning after the crash while attempting to land at a newly opened airport.

Rescue workers rappelled down a 300-metre gorge to continue the search.

Two more bodies were found on Monday morning.

The bodies are being kept in the Pokhara Academy of Health and Science, Western Hospital.

Gyan Khakda, a police spokesperson in the district, said 31 bodies have been identified and will be handed over to family after officials finish post-mortem reports.

Fifteen foreign nationals were on board, including five Indians, four Russians, two South Koreans, and one each from Ireland, Australia, Argentina and France, Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement.

The bodies of foreigners and those that are unrecognisable will be sent to Kathmandu for further investigation.

A witness who recorded footage of the plane's descent from his balcony said he saw the plane flying low before it suddenly veered to its left.

"I saw that and I was shocked… I thought that today everything will be finished here after it crashes, I will also be dead," said Diwas Bohora.

After it crashed, red flames erupted and the ground shook violently, like an earthquake, Bohora said.

"I was scared. Seeing that scene, I was scared."

Another witness said he saw the aircraft spinning violently in the air after it began descending to land, watching from the terrace of his house.

Finally, Gaurav Gurung said, the plane fell nose-first towards its left and crashed into the gorge.

Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft last made contact with the airport from near Seti Gorge at 10:50am local time before crashing.

The twin-engine ATR 72 aircraft, operated by Nepal's Yeti Airlines, was competing the 27-minute flight from the capital, Kathmandu, to Pokhara, 200 kilometres (125 miles) west.