Pilot Survives Fatal Nepal Plane Crash

In a tragic incident, at least 18 people were killed when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, on Wednesday. The pilot, who miraculously survived, is currently receiving treatment in the hospital and is the sole survivor of the accident.

The ill-fated test flight carried 19 individuals, including technical staff members of the airline and two crew members, as it embarked on a journey to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination.

Nepal’s aviation industry has faced ongoing criticism for its poor safety record, attributed to factors such as unpredictable weather, challenging terrain, and lax regulations. This latest incident highlights the urgent need for safety improvements within the industry.

Video footage circulating online captured the horrifying moments as the plane became engulfed in flames and smoke. Emergency services, including fire engines and ambulances, were dispatched to the scene immediately following the crash.

According to a statement from the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority’s search and rescue coordination centre, the crash occurred at approximately 11:15 local time (05:30 GMT), just minutes after the plane’s departure from Tribhuvan International Airport. The statement detailed that the aircraft “turned right and crashed on the east side of the runway.”

“It was reported that the fire was brought under control and the rescue work was started immediately,” the statement said. “The dead bodies of 18 people were collected, and one injured person was rescued and taken to the hospital.”

An airport official mentioned hearing “some cracking noises” from the aircraft before the crash.

This tragic event draws attention once again to Nepal’s aviation safety challenges. In January 2023, a Yeti Airlines crash resulted in at least 72 fatalities after pilots mistakenly cut the aircraft’s power.