Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire on Landing in Kathmandu; All Safe
Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire on Landing in Kathmandu; All Safe
A Turkish Airlines jet caught fire on landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, forcing a runway shutdown. All 277 passengers and crew evacuated safely as investigators assess the cause.
A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 caught fire on its landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Monday, leaving smoke visible on the right landing gear. Emergency crews responded quickly, extinguished the blaze, and passengers were evacuated safely. There were 277 passengers on board the aircraft, along with 11 crew members, according to airport officials. The airport was shut down as authorities worked to clear the runway and manage the flow of inbound flights. Several planes bound for Kathmandu were placed on hold while officials investigated and coordinated the runway clearance, the only one available at the airport.
Nepal’s challenging geography and variable weather have long posed safety challenges for aviation. In 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet skidded off a runway in Kathmandu amid dense fog, though no injuries were reported and the aircraft was later towed away. In the most recent incident, no injuries were reported, and the emphasis remained on containment and orderly evacuation.
Authorities will likely examine the aircraft’s right landing-gear system and other operational factors to determine the cause of the fire. The airline and airport have pledged to review safety protocols and keep passengers updated as the investigation progresses. For travelers, the priority remains clear: safety first, followed by timely information on flight adjustments and assistance for those affected.
