On July 24, 2024, a Saurya Airlines CRJ-7 aircraft (9N-AME) crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The flight was bound for Pokhara, carrying Saurya Airlines employees for maintenance purposes.
Courtesy : Nepal Police
Key Facts
Number of People on Board:
Total: 19 (18 Nepali nationals and 1 Yemeni national)
Fatalities: 18
Survivor: 1 (Captain Manishratna Shakya, who is receiving treatment at KMC Hospital in Kathmandu)
Notable Victims:
– Saurya Airlines’ technical staff, including Safety Chief Sagar Acharya, CAMO Manager Ashwin Kumar Niraula, QA Chief Dilip Verma, and Maintenance Manager Yagya Raj Poudel, were among the deceased.
– Technician Manuraj Sharma, his wife Prija Khatri (a computer operator at the Ministry of Energy), and their young son Adhiraj Sharma were also on board and perished in the crash.
Timeline of Events:
11:11 AM: The aircraft took off from Tribhuvan International Airport.
11:15 AM: Police received the first report of the crash.
11:34 AM: Captain Shakya was rescued from the wreckage.
11:40 AM: Firefighters brought the fire under control.
11:50 AM: Authorities confirmed that 19 people were on board.
11:51 AM: The bodies of the deceased were transported to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.
1:00 PM: The airport resumed regular operations, having temporarily suspended and diverted flights.
Crash Details:
– The aircraft veered to the right shortly after takeoff, hitting a container on the airport premises before crashing and catching fire. Eyewitnesses described the plane breaking into two and observed significant flames.
– The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The last communication between the plane and air traffic control was a clearance for takeoff, with no reported technical issues from the pilot.
Witness Accounts:
– Witnesses reported a loud bang as the plane struck a container and crashed. The impact caused the aircraft to split, and a fire ensued. Krishna Thapa, a motor garage worker, described seeing the plane collide and then crash to the ground.
Investigation and Response:
– The Nepal Civil Aviation Authority (CAAN) and other authorities are investigating the crash to determine its cause.
– Prime Minister K.P. Oli convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the crash, including plans to form a commission to investigate the incident comprehensively.
Rescue and Recovery:
– Immediate rescue efforts were hampered by construction materials and terrain near the crash site, causing delays in reaching some areas. Despite these challenges, Captain Shakya was rescued and is currently in stable condition at KMC Hospital, though he has sustained significant injuries.
Additional Information:
– The aircraft was on a scheduled maintenance flight to Pokhara, intended for a comprehensive maintenance check known as a C-check.
– The crash led to the temporary suspension of flights at Tribhuvan International Airport, with operations resuming by 1 PM on the same day. Some international flights were diverted, and others experienced delays.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and thorough investigations to prevent future accidents. The aviation community, families of the victims, and the entire nation await the results of the investigation for a better understanding of what led to this devastating event.