KATHMANDU, July 26: Nepal has a long history of air accidents, with the first recorded incident occurring on 30 August 1955, in Simara, which resulted in the deaths of two crew members. The most recent tragedy took place on July 24, 2024, when a Saurya Airlines plane crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), claiming the lives of 18 out of 19 passengers on board.
Over the past seventy years, the country has seen a total of 108 air crashes, leading to 959 fatalities.
Specifically, 51 double-engine domestic aircraft, including state-owned and private planes, and nine single-engine aircraft have been involved in accidents till date.
The recent Saurya Airlines crash occurred on Wednesday, with the Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft crashing during takeoff at TIA. Soon after getting airborne at around 11.11 am, the plane tilted towards the right hitting the ground and skidded off the runway, leaving behind a trail of smoke and fire, according to eyewitnesses. It was a test flight headed to Pokhara, carrying airline employees and engineers among the 18 casualties. Despite the prompt response from firefighting teams and security personnel, the fire caused extensive damage to the aircraft.
Nepal's challenging mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather, underinvestment in modern aviation technology and infrastructure, and insufficient regulatory measures are often cited as factors contributing to the frequent air accidents in the region.
Timeline of major air crashes in Nepal:
• July 2024: Saurya Airlines crash near Tribhuvan International Airport, resulting in 18 fatalities out of 19 on board.
• January 2023: Yeti Airlines aircraft crash in Pokhara, with 72 fatalities.
• May 2022: Tara Airplane crash in Mustang, killing 22 people.
• April 2019: Summit Air crash at Lukla Airport, resulting in three deaths.
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• February 2019: Air Dynasty helicopter crash in Taplejung, claiming the lives of Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari and six others.
• September 2018: Altitude Air helicopter crash at the border of Dhading and Nuwakot, killing six people.
• March 2018: US-Bangla Airline crash at Kathmandu’s TIA, resulting in 49 deaths among 67 passengers and four crew members.
• May 2017: Summit Air helicopter crash in Lukla, resulting in two fatalities.
• February 2016: Air Kasthamandap aircraft crash in Kalikot, carrying 11 people.
• May 2015: US Marine Corps squadron crash in Charikot, killing 13 people.
• February 2014: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) plane crash in Arghakhachi, killing 18 people.
• September 2012: Sita Air aircraft crash near TIA, killing 19 people.
• May 2012: Agni Air plane crash en route from Pokhara to Jomsom, with 19 fatalities.
• September 2011: Buddha Air mountain flight crashed in Lalitpur killing all 19 on board.
• December 2010: Tara Air crash en route from Lamidada to Kathmandu, resulting in 22 fatalities.
• August 2010: Agni Air crash during departure from Kathmandu to Lukla, resulting in 14 deaths.
• October 2008: Yeti Airlines crash during landing at Lukla Airport, killing 18 people.
• September 2006: Shree Air helicopter crash in eastern Nepal, with 24 fatalities including all passengers and crew.
• June 2006: Yeti aircraft crash involving six passengers, including crew.
• November 2001: Charter helicopter crash in western Nepal, at Rara Lake in Mugu district, resulting in the deaths of Princess Prekshya Shah of Nepal and five others.
• July 2000: Nepal Airlines Twin Otter crash en route to Dhangadhi, killing 22 passengers and three crew members.
• July 1993: Everest Air Dornier crash near Chule Ghopte hill, resulting in 19 fatalities.
• September 1992: Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A300 crash during landing at Kathmandu airport, killing all 167 on board.
• July 1992: Thai Airways Airbus 310 crash during approach in Kathmandu, resulting in 113 fatalities.
• July 1969: Nepal Airlines aircraft crash near Hetauda, resulting in 35 fatalities including passengers and crew.
• August 1955: A Douglas Dakota crashed in Simara, resulting in the deaths of two crew members.
