A Saurya Airlines plane crashed during takeoff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 24, 2024, at approximately 11:15 am local time, resulting in 18 fatalities. The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ 200, was carrying 19 people, including two crew members and 17 technicians, and was en route to Pokhara for maintenance work.According to eyewitness reports, the plane took off from the southern end of the runway, suddenly banked, and crashed just beyond the runway’s end, bursting into flames. The Kathmandu Post reported that the plane veered off the runway and caught fire. Only the pilot, Captain MR Shakya, survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.This tragic incident has once again highlighted the challenges of flying in Nepal, a country known for its mountainous terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. The European Union has banned all Nepalese airlines from its airspace due to safety concerns. This crash follows another recent disaster in January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines crash in Pokhara killed all 72 passengers on board.Authorities, including the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority, have confirmed the accident, but the cause remains unknown. The airport was temporarily closed to allow rescue teams to operate and recover bodies from the charred remains of the plane. Further investigations are underway to determine the factors that led to this devastating crash.
Key points
- A Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ 200 crashed during takeoff in Kathmandu, Nepal, killing 18 and leaving only the pilot alive.
- The crash occurred at 11:15 am local time on July 24, 2024, when the plane veered off the runway and caught fire.
- This incident has reignited concerns about Nepal’s air safety record and the challenges of flying in the country’s mountainous terrain.
Contradictions👾Some sources report 17 technicians on board, while others mention 17 company staff or employees, creating slight confusion about the exact roles of the passengers.
