On July 24, 2024, a tragic incident occurred at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed during takeoff. The plane was en route to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination in Nepal. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 18 individuals aboard, except for the pilot, who was the sole survivor. The pilot was found bleeding but conscious, and he was promptly rescued from the flaming wreckage by soldiers. He is now recovering in the hospital. This accident has raised serious concerns about Nepal’s aviation safety standards, which have long been criticized.
The plane involved in the crash was a Bombardier CRJ 200, a regional jet. It was scheduled for a 20-minute flight to Pokhara, where a team was to carry out a maintenance review of the aircraft. According to Gyanendra Bhul from the Civil Aviation Authority, the pilot managed to survive the crash because he fell into a cargo container upon impact, which fortunately was not engulfed in flames. The plane had just climbed to about 400 feet (122 meters) when it suddenly veered to the right before crashing near the runway.
Nepal’s government has moved swiftly to address this disaster. They have appointed a five-member investigation team to look into the causes of the crash. This team will examine the black box and the remains of the aircraft as part of their investigation. Bhul noted that the government is committed to understanding the root cause of the accident to prevent future occurrences.
The crash has highlighted ongoing issues with aviation safety in Nepal. The country has a troubled history with aviation incidents, particularly involving light planes and helicopters. The rugged terrain of Nepal, with its treacherous geography and difficult weather conditions, poses significant challenges for pilots. This, coupled with issues such as inadequate training and maintenance, has led to a series of deadly crashes over the years.
Nepal’s aviation industry has expanded significantly in recent years. It now plays a crucial role in transporting goods and people to remote areas, as well as catering to foreign trekkers and climbers who visit the region. However, this growth has not been accompanied by improvements in safety standards. The European Union has responded to these concerns by banning all Nepali carriers from its airspace, reflecting the severity of the safety issues.
The accident at Tribhuvan International Airport is not an isolated incident. Nepal has experienced several major aviation disasters in the past. One of the deadliest occurred in January 2023 when a Yeti Airlines flight crashed while attempting to land at Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board. This was Nepal’s most fatal aviation incident since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed while approaching Kathmandu airport, resulting in the deaths of all 167 passengers and crew members. Earlier that year, a Thai Airways aircraft crashed near the same airport, killing 113 people.
The crash on July 24 has brought the issue of aviation safety in Nepal back into the spotlight. Officials and aviation experts are calling for urgent reforms to address the underlying problems. The investigation into the crash will be closely watched to determine what went wrong and how such tragedies can be avoided in the future.
The pilot’s miraculous escape from the crash has been a small silver lining in an otherwise devastating event. His recovery will be closely followed as it could provide valuable insights into the circumstances of the crash. Meanwhile, the families of the victims are left to grieve and seek answers.
As the investigation progresses, there is hope that it will lead to meaningful changes in Nepal’s aviation industry. Improved safety measures, better training for pilots, and more stringent maintenance protocols could help reduce the risk of future accidents. For now, the focus remains on understanding the causes of the crash and preventing such tragedies from occurring again.
