A domestic plane carrying 19 people skidded off the runway and crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. The incident occurred as the Saurya Airlines flight was en route to the popular tourist destination of Pokhara. Fortunately, the pilot survived the crash and was promptly transported to Kathmandu Medical College Hospital for medical attention. Despite sustaining injuries to the eyes, the pilot is reported to be in stable condition and not in any immediate danger.
Images from local media outlets depicted smoke billowing from the wreckage of the aircraft, which was strewn across a nearby ditch. Emergency responders swiftly brought the ensuing fire under control as the airport was closed to facilitate rescue operations. The cause of the crash remains unclear, with investigations ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the plane slipping off the runway.
Notably, the incident took place during the monsoon rainy season in Kathmandu, although it was not raining at the time of the crash. However, low visibility persisted throughout the capital, potentially contributing to the accident. Saurya Airlines, which operates the Bombardier CRJ 200 on domestic routes, is cooperating with authorities to ascertain the factors that led to the crash.
This unfortunate event recalls previous aviation incidents at Tribhuvan International Airport, including a 2019 Bangladeshi airliner crash that claimed the lives of 51 individuals. In that case, an investigation revealed that the plane had been misaligned with the runway, leading to a tragic outcome. Similarly, in 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet skidded off a slippery runway during landing due to dense fog. Despite carrying 238 passengers, the incident resulted in no serious injuries.
