A Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 aircraft has crashed during takeoff from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Wednesday, 24 July 2024.
A TIA official spokesperson stated that the aircraft which was bound for Pokhara and suffered a runway excursion during the takeoff.
Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 Accident
The departing flight had 19 people on board including crew members. According to local source the Kathmandu Post, preliminary information suggests that 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site.
The Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) spokesperson said the flight’s captain was rushed to the hospital.
The aircraft was seen by eyewitnesses to be departing from the southern end of the runway.
At that point it flipped over wingtip hit the ground. Following the runway excursion, the aircraft caught fire before plunging into a gorge on the eastern side of the act of the active runway.
Saurya Airlines is a domestic airline based in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 2014, Saurya Airlines was founded and began operations that November.
The airline operates two CRJ-200 regional commuter aircraft and flies to various popular destinations within Nepal.
Tribhuvan International Airport: Past Incidents and Accidents
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, Nepal, is the country’s sole international airport.
Due to its location and challenging mountainous terrain, TIA has a history of aircraft incidents and accidents. Prior to this morning’s Saurya Airlines crash, this report outlines some notable events.
Past Incidents and Accidents
- 1973: A Thai Airways DC-8 crashed short of the runway on approach, resulting in one fatality.
- March 12, 2018: A US-Bangla Airlines DHC-8-400 veered off the runway while landing, causing a fire and killing 49 people.
- December 15, 2010: A Tara Air DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed near Okhaldhunga, killing all 22 on board.
- February 16, 2016: An Air Kasthamandap DHC-6 Twin Otter went down in the Kalikot district, resulting in 11 fatalities.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to the higher incident rate at TIA:
- Mountainous Terrain: The Kathmandu Valley’s topography creates challenging approaches and departures for aircraft.
- Weather Conditions: Sudden changes in weather, including fog and strong winds, can create dangerous situations.
- Airport Infrastructure: Runway length and navigational aids at Tribhuvan International Airport have been improved, but they still lag behind those of larger airports.
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