A Saurya Airlines aircraft, carrying 19 people, crashed during takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport. The plane, a Bombardier CRJ-200ER, was en route to Pokhara when the incident occurred. The last signal from the aircraft was received at 05:26:25 UTC time.
Initial reports suggest that the aircraft skidded off the runway during takeoff, leading to the accident. Emergency services were deployed to the scene, and investigations into the cause of the crash are underway. The crash took place around 11 am local time. Rescue operations are ongoing, with police and firefighters working to control the situation. The fire that broke out after the crash has been extinguished.
The pilot of the aircraft has been transported to a nearby hospital. According to reports, the plane caught fire while emitting a considerable amount of smoke. However, there is no information yet regarding the condition of the passengers.
The Saurya Airlines flight was headed to Pokhara, a key tourism destination in Nepal. The airline operates exclusively with Bombardier CRJ 200 jets. Nepal's aviation industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, but safety concerns persist due to inadequate training and maintenance practices. As a result, the European Union has barred all Nepali airlines from operating within its airspace.
The aircraft involved in the incident was purchased in 2019 and belonged to India's Kuber Group.