Flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu were suspended for 98 minutes on Monday after a Turkish Airlines aircraft suffered a landing gear fire. The incident occurred at 6.34am local time, forcing the airport to close until 8.12am.
The fire broke out in the right main landing gear of the wide-body aircraft, which became stranded on Taxiway Bravo while the rest of the plane remained on the runway. All domestic and international flights were halted as a result.
There were 288 people on board, including 11 crew members. Passengers were evacuated using emergency slides, with two sustaining minor finger injuries, according to Turkish Airlines.
Preliminary investigations suggest a tyre on the right main landing gear caught fire, possibly due to a hard landing, tyre pressure issues, or other technical problems. The aircraft has been grounded for technical inspections.
Hotel arrangements have been made for passengers scheduled to depart from Kathmandu, and authorities are organising alternative flights for urgent travellers. A maintenance team and the Civil Aviation Authority's Flight Safety Standard Department will conduct a detailed inquiry.
