7 Dramatic Moments as Buddha Air Plane Overshoots Runway in Nepal, All 55 Safe

7 Dramatic Moments as Buddha Air Plane Overshoots Runway in Nepal, All 55 Safe, reviving concerns over Nepal’s aviation safety record. A serious aviation scare unfolded in eastern Nepal late Friday night when a Buddha Air turboprop aircraft carrying 55 people veered off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport in Jhapa district.

The aircraft overshot the runway by nearly 200 metres and came to rest near a rivulet, sustaining minor damage. All 51 passengers and four crew members survived the incident, with some sustaining minor injuries that were treated on site.

While no fatalities were reported, the close call has once again raised urgent questions about Nepal’s aviation safety record, which has faced sustained international scrutiny following multiple deadly crashes in recent years.

7 Dramatic Moments as Buddha Air Plane Overshoots Runway in Nepal, All 55 Safe

What Happened: Buddha Air Flight Overshoots Runway

The aircraft, operated by Buddha Air under flight number 901, was en route from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur when the incident occurred during landing at around 9 pm.

Key facts at a glance

• Aircraft: ATR 72-500 turboprop
• Registration: 9N-AMF
• Route: Kathmandu–Bhadrapur
• Onboard: 51 passengers, 4 crew
• Injuries: Minor, no fatalities
• Runway overshoot: ~200 metres

According to airport officials, the plane “slipped off the ground while attempting to land” and overshot the runway before stopping near a small water body just beyond the airport perimeter.

Official Confirmation from Airline and Authorities

Buddha Air confirmed the incident in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) late Friday night.

“The flight number 901 from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur, aircraft 9N-AMF, has veered off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport. There were 51 passengers on board the aircraft. All passengers and crew [4 persons] are safe.”

Nepal Police also confirmed that everyone onboard was rescued safely, crediting swift action by emergency responders, airport staff, and security forces.

Tribhuvan International Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa told PTI that emergency services reached the aircraft immediately after it came to a halt.

“All the passengers are safe and have been evacuated from the site. The aircraft suffered minor damage during the incident.”

Passenger Evacuation and Emergency Response

Despite smoke and panic inside the cabin, all passengers were evacuated without loss of life. Emergency teams from the Nepal Police, Nepali Army, Civil Aviation Authority, and Buddha Air were deployed rapidly to secure the area and assist passengers.

On Saturday morning, Buddha Air issued a follow-up statement expressing gratitude to rescue agencies and confirming cooperation with investigators.

“We are deeply concerned about the incident and express our sincere gratitude to the Nepal Police, Nepali Army, Civil Aviation Authority, and Buddha Air staff who worked with utmost diligence in the rescue operations.”

The airline added that passengers who suffered minor injuries had received first aid and returned home safely.

Passenger’s Brave Act Credited With Saving Lives

Amid the chaos, one passenger emerged as an unexpected hero.

Umesh Moktan Tamang, seated in row 14, reportedly opened the emergency exit when smoke filled the cabin and panic spread among passengers.

According to Tamang, the aircraft made a loud rumbling noise upon landing before filling with smoke.

“Everyone was crying. The air hostess was panicking. I decided I had to act,” he said.

Tamang described kicking open the emergency door, allowing passengers—including elderly people and children—to escape within moments.

Arjundhara Municipality Mayor Baldev Gomden, who was also onboard, publicly credited Tamang with saving lives.

“If he had not acted, we would not have survived. Smoke had filled the cabin. He saved us like a god.”

Aircraft and Flight Details

Flight tracking data identified the aircraft as an ATR 72-500, a widely used twin-engine turboprop for regional routes across South Asia.

• Departure time: 8:23 pm from Kathmandu
• Scheduled stay: Overnight at Bhadrapur
• Return flight: Planned for the following morning

The aircraft had been scheduled to remain grounded pending technical inspection and clearance from aviation authorities.

Cause of Runway Overshoot Still Under Investigation

As of now, Buddha Air and aviation authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of the runway overshoot.

There has been:

• No confirmation of mechanical failure
• No immediate indication of adverse weather
• No official pilot error determination

Buddha Air said it would fully cooperate with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) during the investigation.

Technical and relief teams were dispatched from Kathmandu to assess the aircraft and operational conditions at the airport.

Impact on Airport Operations

Authorities confirmed that the incident caused limited disruption at Bhadrapur Airport, primarily related to safety inspections and securing the aircraft.

Other flights were not immediately cancelled, though officials noted that operations could be affected until runway inspections were completed.

Nepal’s Troubled Aviation Safety Record

The Bhadrapur runway overshoot has once again highlighted Nepal’s aviation safety challenges, particularly in difficult terrain, aging infrastructure, and weather-prone regions.

Recent major aviation disasters

• July 2024: Saurya Airlines Bombardier CRJ200LR crashed after takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 18 of 19 onboard
• January 2023: Yeti Airlines ATR 72 crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 passengers and crew

Investigators later determined that the Pokhara crash occurred after the pilot accidentally feathered the engines, cutting thrust at a critical phase of flight.

These incidents have led international aviation bodies to repeatedly flag Nepal’s oversight mechanisms, pilot training standards, and airport infrastructure.

Runway Safety and Infrastructure Concerns

Aviation experts note that runway overruns often stem from a combination of factors, including:

• Short or poorly maintained runways
• Wet or contaminated surfaces
• Visibility challenges during night landings
• Inadequate runway safety areas

Bhadrapur Airport, like many regional airports in Nepal, operates under geographic and infrastructure constraints that increase operational risk, especially during night operations.

Previous Airport Safety Issues in Nepal

Concerns have also been raised over airport infrastructure reliability. In November last year, flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport were temporarily halted due to a runway lighting system failure caused by suspected rainwater seepage.

Several international flights were delayed or diverted, underscoring systemic vulnerabilities in Nepal’s aviation ecosystem.

What Happens Next

Authorities have stated that further details will be released after:

• Full aircraft inspection
• Runway condition assessment
• Review of flight data and cockpit procedures

Until then, the aircraft will remain grounded, and the findings of the investigation will be closely watched by regulators and airlines operating in Nepal.

A Close Call That Ended Without Tragedy

While the Buddha Air runway overshoot ended without loss of life, it serves as another stark reminder of the thin margin between safety and disaster in aviation operations across challenging environments.

For passengers, crews, and regulators alike, the incident reinforces the urgency of strengthening safety oversight, upgrading infrastructure, and ensuring rigorous operational standards—before a future incident ends less fortunately.

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Also Read: Buddha Air ATR 72 901, Crash in Jhapa at Bhadrapur Airport; More Than Fifty One Passengers Lucky to Escape, But What Went Wrong on the Runway