KATHMANDU, Sept 19: A senior captain of the state-owned Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), Ang Noori Sherpa, has been 'grounded' after he forcibly took his aircraft in the way of an international aircraft which was making its final approach at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).

Although the air traffic controller at TIA asked him to hold his aircraft for some time in Kirtipur sky, asking Jet Airways (B 737) aircraft arriving from Mumbai for landing, Captain Noori had forcibly taken his aircraft in the landing route of the Indian carrier. The NAC aircraft (Y-12 E) was on its way to Kathmandu from Pokhara.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has kept the incident which occurred on August 28 a secret. Captain Noori, who holds the US green card, will now be barred from flying any aircraft following the CAAN action.

Highly-placed sources at TIA said the Jet Airways aircraft was arriving at the TIA from the north for the final approach, while NAC aircraft under command of captain Noori was heading north in Kathmandu sky via west for landing. 

“Then the ATC tower gave priority to Jet Air and gave it the permission for landing, while asking NAC aircraft to hold for sometime in Kirtipur sky,” said the source at TIA. “But NAC captain forcibly brought the aircraft over southern belt of the runway (over Koteshwar sky). Seeing the Jet aircraft that had received permission for landing was already near runway for the final approach, ATC tower immediately directed Jet Air to make an overshoot.”

The ATC tower had no option but to give permission for landing to the NAC aircraft, while the Jet aircraft flew around Kathmandu and landed at TIA after reaching the sky over Simara. “Luckily, a major accident was averted,” said the source.

Jet Airways had filed a written complaint at TIA management, prompting CAAN to ground Captain Noori and co-pilot Robin KC until the probe committee's report is out.

“Immediately after the incident, we formed a two-member probe panel and grounded the pilot duo. An investigation is currently underway. We will take action against them as per the recommendations of the probe panel,” said deputy general management of CAAN, Rajan Pokharel. The probe panel has senior flight inspector Captain DR Niraula and director of Air Safety Standard Department Nabina Karmacharya.