A fire on a Turkish Airlines aircraft caused the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu for 98 minutes on Monday, May 11, forcing passengers to evacuate using emergency slides.
Incident Details
The airport was closed between 6:34 am and 8:12 am local time after a fire broke out in the right main landing gear of the aircraft, according to Gyanendra Bhul, assistant spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. The wide-body aircraft became partially stranded on Taxiway Bravo, with the rest remaining on the runway, halting all domestic and international flights.
Passengers and Injuries
There were 288 people on board, including 11 crew members. Passengers were evacuated using inflatable slides. Turkish Airlines reported that two passengers sustained minor finger injuries. No other serious injuries were reported.
Possible Causes
Preliminary investigations suggest that a tyre on the right main landing gear caught fire. Officials indicated potential causes include a hard landing, tyre pressure issues, or other technical problems.
Aftermath and Investigation
The aircraft has been grounded for technical inspections. Hotel accommodations have been arranged for passengers scheduled to depart from Kathmandu, and authorities are arranging alternative flights for urgent travelers. A maintenance, repair, and overhaul team will investigate at the airport, while the Civil Aviation Authority’s Flight Safety Standard Department will conduct a detailed inquiry.
