Nepal Plane Crash: A small passenger plane crashed and caught fire while taking off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The crash resulted in the tragic death of 18 people on board, with the captain being the sole survivor. A 50-seater passenger plane belonging to Saurya Airlines and was en route to Pokhara.
The plane veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway shortly after takeoff. The exact cause is under investigation.Total 18 people were killed, all of whom were either technicians or crew members. The captain was rescued alive and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
Nepal Plane Crash has highlighted several key issues:
- Safety Concerns: The crash has raised concerns about aviation safety standards in Nepal, particularly in domestic airlines. This is not the first aviation accident in the country, and there have been calls for stricter regulations and improved oversight.
- Aging Fleet: The aircraft involved in the crash was relatively old, which has brought attention to the issue of aging fleets in some airlines. There are concerns about the maintenance and safety of older aircraft.
- Infrastructure Challenges: Nepal’s mountainous terrain and limited airport infrastructure pose challenges for aviation. This can make takeoffs and landings more difficult, especially in adverse weather conditions.
- Emergency Response: The crash has also highlighted the importance of a swift and effective emergency response. While rescue teams were quickly on the scene, there were reports of some delays in accessing the crash site due to the difficult terrain.
- Investigation and Transparency: There are calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the crash. This is crucial to identify any systemic issues and prevent future accidents.
The aircraft that crashed in Kathmandu, Nepal on July 24, 2024, was a 50-seater passenger plane belonging to Saurya Airlines. It has not been officially confirmed, but based on the airline’s fleet, it is likely that the plane was either a Bombardier CRJ-200 or an ATR 72.
While initial reports suggested it was a CRJ-200, Saurya Airlines has been transitioning its fleet to ATR 72 aircraft, making this a likely possibility as well. Both aircraft models are commonly used for short-haul flights and are suitable for the Kathmandu-Pokhara route the plane was scheduled to fly.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and more information about the specific model of the aircraft and the cause of the crash will likely be revealed as the investigation progresses.