KATHMANDU: Nepal’s first recorded plane crash dates back to April 23, 1994, claiming the lives of two passengers.
The latest incident occurred on July 24, 2024, when a Saurya Airlines aircraft crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), killing 18 out of 19 passengers.
In the past seven decades, Nepal has experienced 70 air crashes, resulting in a total of 964 deaths.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, 501 people have died in domestic aircraft crashes (single and double engine), while 371 have perished in foreign aircraft accidents.
To date, 51 double-engine domestic aircraft, including both state-owned and privately-owned planes, have been involved in accidents, along with nine single-engine aircraft.
On Wednesday, a Saurya Airlines plane crashed near Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.
The aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200, crashed during takeoff, causing it to skid off the runway and catch fire.
The flight, a test flight to Pokhara, carried no regular passengers but included employees and engineers of the airline among the 19 casualties.
Despite efforts by firefighting teams and security personnel, the blaze caused significant damage to the aircraft.
Nepal’s numerous airplane accidents are attributed to its challenging mountainous landscapes, unpredictable weather conditions, insufficient investment in modern aircraft and infrastructure, and inadequate regulation.
Timeline of Major Air Crashes in Nepal:
July 2024: A Saurya Airlines plane crashed near Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 18 out of 19 people on board.
January 2023: A Yeti Airlines aircraft crashed in Pokhara, resulting in 72 fatalities.
May 2022: A Tara Airplane carrying 22 people crashed in the mountainous district of Mustang.
April 2019: A Summit Air airplane crashed at Lukla Airport, claiming three lives.
February 2019: An Air Dynasty helicopter crashed in Taplejung, killing then-Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari and six others.
September 2018: Six people were killed in a helicopter crash involving Altitude Air at the border of Dhading and Nuwakot.
March 2018: 49 people died when a US-Bangla airline crashed at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, carrying 67 passengers and four crew members.
February 2016: An Air Kasthamandap aircraft carrying 11 people crashed in Kalikot.
May 2015: A US Marine Corps squadron crashed in Charikot, resulting in the deaths of 13 people.
May 2017: A Summit Air helicopter crashed in Lukla, killing two people.
February 2014: 18 people were killed in a Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) plane crash in Arghakhachi.
September 2012: A Sita Air aircraft crashed near Tribhuvan International Airport, killing 19 people.
May 2012: An Agni Air plane carrying 19 people crashed en route from Pokhara Airport to Jomsom Airport.
September 2011: A Buddha Air aircraft, carrying tourists on a sightseeing trip around Mount Everest, collided with a hill, resulting in the deaths of all 19 people on board.
December 2010: A Tara Air aircraft crashed en route from Lamidada to Kathmandu in Okhaldhunga, resulting in 22 fatalities.
August 2010: An Agni Air aircraft crashed while departing from Kathmandu for Lukla, resulting in the deaths of 14 people.
October 2008: 18 people were killed in a plane crash involving Yeti Airlines during landing at Lukla Airport.
September 2006: A Shree Air helicopter crashed during a chartered flight in eastern Nepal, resulting in the deaths of all 24 passengers and crew members on board.
June 2006: A Yeti aircraft carrying six passengers, including crew members, crashed on the ground.
November 2001: A chartered helicopter crashed during a flight in western Nepal, Rara Lake in Mugu district, resulting in the deaths of Princess Prekshya Shah of Nepal and five other occupants.
July 2000: A Twin Otter operated by Nepal Airlines crashed while en route to Dhangadhi airport, claiming the lives of 22 passengers and three crew members.
July 1993: A Dornier aircraft operated by Everest Air crashed near Chule Ghopte hill in Nepal, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members and 16 passengers.
September 1992: An Airbus A300 operated by Pakistan International Airlines crashed during landing at Kathmandu airport, killing all 167 people on board.
July 1992: An Airbus 310 operated by Thai Airways crashed during approach in Kathmandu, resulting in the deaths of all 99 passengers and 14 crew members on board.
July 1969: An aircraft operated by Nepal Airlines crashed en route to Simara airport, killing 31 passengers and four crew members.
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