18 die in Saurya Airlines crash in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: A total of 18 people died in the Saurya Airlines plane crash in Kathmandu this morning. 

The aircraft bearing the call sign 9N AME and bound for Pokhara from Kathmandu, shortly after takeoff from runway 02, veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway.

Bodies of all 18 people aboard the plane were found scattered across the crash site. SSP Dambar BK, the security officer deployed at the airport, confirmed the retrieval of these remains. Preparations were underway to transport the recovered bodies to the Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj.

One of the pilots survived the crash and has been rescued. The pilot has sustained injuries to his eyes but his life is not in any danger, said a doctor at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) Hospital, where the pilot is being treated. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity since she was not authorised to speak to media.

A press statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said the Saurya Airlines' domestic aeroplane, which was scheduled to head to Pokhara, took off at 11:11 am and turned right but crashed moments later in the eastern section of the airport.

The aircraft carrying staff and technician from an airline company for maintenance crashed accidentally at around 11:00 am, according to police. 

According to Jasoda Subedi, spokesperson for Pokhara International Airport, the Saurya Airlines aircraft involved in the crash was on its way to Pokhara for a routine technical inspection. The decision to fly it to Pokhara was based on the airport's well-equipped and advanced hangar facilities.

Subedi asserted, "The aircraft had taken off for a mandatory technical examination, as per the regular schedule after a certain number of flying hours. There was no fault with the aircraft that prompted this flight."

Furthermore, it was confirmed that the airline's employees and technicians were on board during this routine technical test, with the intention of parking the aircraft in the well-appointed hangar at the airport in Pokhara.

Meanwhile, domestic flights at TIA have been disrupted.

(Updated)

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Saurya Airlines aircraft crashes killing 15 at TIA; 4 others rescued

KATHMANDU: Of the total 19 persons travelling on an aircraft of Saurya Airlines, 15 died after the plane skidded off the runway and crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu today. Security personnel rescued four persons who were sent to hospitals for treatment.

Shortly, after the aircraft crashed, it caught fire. Security personnel from all three agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, Nepal —  were mobilised to rescue the persons aboard and control the fire. 

Three of the rescued have been sent to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu while another one is receiving treatment at KMC Hospital, police said. 

All the persons aboard the aircraft flying to Pokhara from Kathmandu were the staff of an airline company. They were reportedly flying to Pokhara to repair an aircraft there. 

(Updated)

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KATHMANDU: An aircraft of Saurya Airlines crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu today.

According to the TIA office, the plane carrying 19 passengers including the crew member, skidded on the runway of the airport while taking off. The plane met accident while flying to Pokhara from Kathmandu.

Gaurav Kumar KC, spokesperson of the Nepalese Army, informed that the aircraft caught fire and security personnel from all three agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, Nepal —  were mobilised to control the fire. 

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has reached the airport to get information about the accident.

(Updated)

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Saurya Airlines aircraft crashes in Kathmandu; rescue operation underway

KATHMANDU: An aircraft of Saurya Airlines crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu today.

The aircraft flying to Pokhara was carrying around 18  people including passengers and aircrew members, an on-duty officer at TIA Security Police told Business360. 

The accident occurred around 11:00 am, police said. 

Meanwhile, security personnel and firefighters are carrying out rescue operations at the site.

Further details of the incident are awaited.