KATMANDU, Nepal — A small passenger plane carrying 14 people, including some foreigners, to the Mount Everest region crashed into the hills outside Nepal’s capital in heavy rain Tuesday, officials said.

A witness said there were no survivors, but there was no immediate word from officials on casualties.

The area’s police chief, Ram Bahadur Shrestha, said the plane went down near Shikharpur village, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Katmandu.

The German-built Dornier airplane was carrying 11 passengers and three crew members when bad weather forced it to try to return to Katmandu. Rescue coordinators at the police headquarters in Katmandu said six foreigners were on board but could not give details.

Initial reports said there were 15 passengers and three crew members on board.

Shrestha said rescuers have not been able to reach the crash site and villagers were trying to help out. The area has no roads and is only accessible by foot, but the route from the nearest town is blocked by a river flooded by monsoon rainfall.

Ram Bahadur Gole, a villager who witnessed the accident, told Avenues Television network that there were no survivors.

He said the crash impact broke the plane into several pieces that were scattered on a hillside, and that continuing rain and flooding had made many of the area’s foot trails unpassable.

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer

Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 12:47 p.m.

CORTLAND, N.Y. ?
The New York Jets got some hard-hitting, goal-line practice in Thursday morning.

Then, the heavy rains came and the session was cut short after 70 minutes because of a lightning warning.

“That’s not bad weather,” defensive tackle Kris Jenkins said, smiling. “It’s football weather.”

The players worked through a drenching rain for most of practice before warning sirens wailed around the SUNY Cortland campus. Coach Rex Ryan ended things shortly after fans and media — along with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath in attendance — were told to leave the field.

“We hadn’t really counted on this,” a rain-soaked Ryan said. “But, it’s a great opportunity to be able to throw a wet football.”

The skies had cleared by the afternoon, and the team was holding its special teams practice.

While All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis missed his fourth straight day of practice because of a contract dispute, it was Jenkins’ first time in full pads since training camp began. He got on the field for some snaps Wednesday after starting camp on the active-physically unable to perform list.

Jenkins missed much of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and had a graft from the hamstring used to repair it. Despite the wet conditions, Jenkins had no reservations about being out there.

“The water was actually good for me,” he said. “It softens the grass up. For heavy guys, it makes it easier on our shins. Plus, if the grass gives, it’s harder for me to get hurt with the slipping.”

Before the heaviest rains came, NFL Films unveiled its “Chopper Cam” while filming HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” It’s a 25-pound remote-controlled mini-helicopter that’s mounted with an HD camera. The “Chopper Cam” is battery-powered, can fly up to 90 mph and can stay in the air for up to five hours.

“As it was flying around, I’m like, ‘Give me a football,’” Ryan said, drawing laughs. “That’s the first thing you want to do is see if you can knock it down, but I’m not so sure about that.”