Nepal Flight Tragedy: 18 Dead as Plane Crashes on Takeoff; Pilot Sole Survivor

A Saurya Airlines flight met with a tragic accident during takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday, July 24. The plane, bound for Pokhara, caught fire after skidding, leading to the deaths of 18 passengers. The only survivor, the pilot, was rescued and is currently receiving medical treatment, as reported by Nepal Police.

The police shared on social media that the aircraft carried 19 individuals, including 18 Nepalese and one Yemeni national, all of whom were Saurya Airlines employees traveling to Pokhara for maintenance. TIA spokesperson Premnath Thakur noted that the crash occurred around 11:00 am.

A statement from Tribhuvan International Airport detailed that the Bombardier CRJ-200 jet, identified by registration CRJ7 (Reg-9NAME), took off at 11:11 am, veered right, and crashed on the east side of the runway. Rescue efforts began immediately after the fire was extinguished, resulting in the recovery of 18 bodies and the rescue of one injured individual.

Nepal’s aviation sector has long been criticized for its safety record, with a history of numerous fatal accidents involving small aircraft and helicopters. Images released by Nepal Police depict the aftermath, showing the aircraft’s fuselage broken and charred.

This incident adds to a series of aviation mishaps in Nepal, a country known for its challenging flight conditions due to its mountainous terrain and perilous runways. These factors, combined with inadequate training and maintenance, have led to poor safety standards in the aviation industry. Consequently, all Nepali carriers are banned from operating in European Union airspace.

The crash is a stark reminder of Nepal’s ongoing issues with aviation safety. It follows another significant tragedy last year when a Yeti Airlines flight crashed in Pokhara, claiming the lives of all 72 passengers and crew onboard. This was the deadliest crash since 1992, when a Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed near Kathmandu airport, killing 167 people.