A plane crash in Nepal claimed the lives of 18 people on board a Saurya Airlines flight leaving the pilot as the only survivor. The incident occurred during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on July 24, 2024.
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The crash occurred on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 11:11 am local time.
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. This airport is known for its challenging approach due to its location in a valley surrounded by mountains.
The plane involved in the crash was a Bombardier CRJ-200, a 50-seat regional jet operated by Saurya Airlines.
The aircraft is identified as N9AME and was on a domestic flight bound for Pokhara. This flight was reportedly a maintenance or technical test flight rather than a commercial passenger service.
The aircraft failed to gain altitude upon takeoff. It veered off the runway, slipped down an embankment and crashed into the eastern section of the airport, bursting into flames almost immediately.
The plane was engulfed in a massive fire with videos showing intense flames and thick smoke rising from the crash site.
Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene. Emergency services and the Nepali Army personnel were quickly deployed for rescue operations.
There were 19 people on board including two crew members and 17 employees of Saurya Airlines.
18 people were killed in the crash. Co-pilot, S. Katuwal. 17 Saurya Airlines Employees included 16 Nepali nationals and a Yemeni national. The only survivor was the pilot, Captain Manish Shakya aged 37.
Captain Shakya was taken to Kathmandu Model Hospital. He sustained injuries to his eyes, but was reported to be stable and not in immediate danger.
15 died instantly at the crash site, while three succumbed to injuries during treatment at a local hospital.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Factors under consideration include potential mechanical failure, pilot error and environmental conditions.
The aircraft was operated by Saurya Airlines, a domestic carrier in Nepal. Aircraft Model was the flight involved a Bombardier CRJ-200 jet.
There were 19 people on board including 17 Saurya Airlines employees (including technical staff). 2 crew members (pilot and co-pilot).
Among the 19 people, one was a Yemeni national working as an engineer and the rest were Nepali nationals.
The aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Tribhuvan International Airport. Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise.
One described the aircraft tilting above the runway before crashing. The plane caught fire resulting in thick black smoke and flames. Rescue efforts began as emergency workers rushed to the scene.
The pilot was rescued from the wreckage with injuries to his eyes and forehead. He is currently receiving treatment at Kathmandu Medical College Hospital.
All 18 other passengers and crew members were found dead at the crash site. Their bodies were recovered and taken for post-mortem examinations.
Fire engines and ambulances were dispatched to control the fire and aid in rescue operations.
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Initial assessments suggest that the plane flew in the wrong direction during takeoff, turning right instead of the expected left. This deviation may have contributed to the crash.
The flight was reportedly part of a routine maintenance check and the plane was scheduled for maintenance starting the following day.
The authority’s search and rescue coordination center confirmed that the crash occurred shortly after takeoff with the aircraft crashing on the east side of the runway.
Jagannath Niraula, the airport chief said that the incident happened almost immediately after the plane left the ground. The exact cause of the crash remains unconfirmed as investigations continue.
Videos showed the aircraft crashing at a steep angle with flames engulfing the wreckage. Images revealed the plane’s charred fuselage, split into sections with rescue workers navigating through the debris.
Photos shared by Nepal’s military depicted soldiers and officials working to recover bodies and control the situation at the crash site.
Operations at Tribhuvan International Airport were temporarily halted to facilitate rescue operations and investigations. Normal services resumed shortly after.
Tribhuvan International Airport is known for its challenging approach and departure paths often requiring pilots to navigate through mountainous terrain.
Saurya Airlines operates a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets, flying to five tourist destinations within Nepal.
Nepal has a history of aviation accidents with poor safety records due to multiple factors including geography, weather conditions and maintenance practices.
On January 2023, a Yeti Airlines crash in Pokhara resulted in 72 fatalities including five Indians, it is one of Nepal’s deadliest aviation disasters.
On May 2022, a Tara Air plane crashed in Mustang district, killing all 22 on board. On 2018, a US-Bangla Air crash in Kathmandu killed 51 people.
In 1992, two crashes occurred, a Thai Airways flight crashed near Kathmandu, killing 113 people. A Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed on approach resulting in 167 deaths.
According to Nepal’s civil aviation authority, 914 people have died in air crashes in the country since 1955.
The EU has banned all Nepali carriers from its airspace due to safety concerns.
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