KATHMANDU, May 29 (CNA) - A plane operated by a private airline in Nepal went missing on Sunday (May 29), with 22 people on board, airline and government officials told Reuters.

The small plane was flying from the tourist town of Pokhara, about 200km northwest of the capital, Kathmandu, to Jomsom, about 80km to the northwest, they said.

It is operated by Tara Air, which mainly flies Canadian-built Twin Otter planes.

The plane, which was on a 15-minute scheduled flight, lost contact with the airport tower shortly after takeoff.

Spokesman for Tara Air Sudarshan Bartaula told AFP that there were 19 passengers on board and three crew members.

Police official Ramesh Thapa said there was no information on the Twin Otter aircraft and a search was underway.

Nepal, home to the world's highest mountain, does have a record of accidents on its extensive domestic air network, with changeable weather and airstrips in difficult mountain locations.