BREAKING: Another Major Plane Crash Has Occurred in Nepal
A domestic aircraft carrying 19 individuals veered off the runway and crashed during its attempted takeoff from Nepal's capital's airport on Wednesday. The aircraft, operated by Saurya Airlines, was en route from Kathmandu to the town of Pokhara.
Footage from local media outlets depicted smoke billowing from the site of the crash and wreckage strewn across a ditch. Emergency responders have contained the subsequent fire. Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal's primary airport for both international and domestic flights, has been temporarily closed to facilitate response efforts.
Although it was not raining at the time of the accident, low visibility due to the ongoing monsoon season in Kathmandu may have contributed to the incident. Saurya Airlines typically deploys the Bombardier CRJ 200 for domestic flights.
Eighteen people died in the tragic tragedy that happened in Kathmandu, Nepal; the pilot is the only one who survived. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and 17 technicians to Pokhara city for maintenance checks, according to Airport Security Chief Arjun Chand Thakuri. According to a Kathmandu Medical College Hospital doctor, the pilot's life is not in danger despite eye damage.
The Nepalese aviation authority identified one of the passengers as Adhiraj Sharma, the son of Manu Raj Sharma, a Saurya Airlines mechanic. Sharma's wife, Priza Khatiwada, and their four-year-old son, Adhiraj, were killed in the incident. According to the airline's announcement, Priza and her son were initially recognized as employees but were later proven to be passengers.
It was a test flight for the fatal Saurya Airlines aircraft. Flying under the call sign 9N-AME, the aircraft was performing a C Check, a rigorous examination that aircraft must always pass. As per the Nepali Times, the aircraft was scheduled to undergo a maintenance check-up at the Pokhara International Airport's hangar. Additionally, it said that it is unknown why there were so many people on a test flight.