Buddha Air Flight Skids Off Runway During Landing at Nepal’s Bhadrapur Airport
Kathmandu, Nepal: A Buddha Air flight, designated number 901, from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur skidded off the runway during its landing at Bhadrapur Airport in the Jhapa district late Friday night. Despite the alarming incident, officials confirmed that no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
Incident Overview
– Flight Details: Flight number 901 from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur.
– Passengers and Crew: The aircraft was carrying 51 passengers and 4 crew members.
– Safety Confirmation: Nepal Police stated that everyone on board was safely evacuated.
In a statement shared on social media, Nepal Police remarked: “The Buddha Air flight that took off from Kathmandu with 51 passengers and 4 crew members met with an accident during the landing process at Bhadrapur Airport. All individuals have been safely rescued.”
Buddha Air’s Response
Buddha Air provided an update on the situation, stating that the aircraft, identified as 9N-AMF, did indeed veer off the runway while landing.
– Safety Measures: All passengers and crew are safe, confirmed the airline via a post on social media.
– Technical Team Deployment: A technical and relief team is being dispatched from Kathmandu on another aircraft to assess the situation.
Flight Information
– Departure Time: The flight took off from Kathmandu at 8:23 PM and was supposed to stay overnight at Bhadrapur Airport, with plans to return to Kathmandu the following morning.
Authorities indicated that further details regarding the incident would be shared after ongoing inspections and technical assessments are completed. This event raises concerns about air safety in Nepal, particularly in light of a troubling history of aviation incidents.
In July 2024, a Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ200LR tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, resulting in the loss of 18 lives out of the 19 individuals on board.
Conclusion
The Buddha Air flight incident at Bhadrapur Airport highlights the critical need for continued scrutiny and improvement in air safety standards in Nepal. Fortunately, no injuries were reported this time, providing some relief to the passengers and their families. As investigations proceed, all eyes will be on how authorities address the underlying issues impacting aviation safety in the region.