A harrowing video has surfaced showing the final moments of a tragic plane crash involving a Bombardier CRJ 200 jet at Kathmandu’s airport, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people. The aircraft, operated by Saurya Airlines, was en route to Pokhara when it crashed shortly after takeoff, with only the pilot surviving the disaster.
The video, recorded moments before the crash, shows the plane struggling to maintain control just a few hundred feet above the ground. As it tilts dangerously to the right, it suddenly jerks to the left and plummets to the ground, erupting into a massive fireball. The footage offers a chilling glimpse of the aircraft’s final seconds.
Authorities confirmed that there were 19 people on board, including two crew members and 17 staff. The sole survivor, the pilot, has been taken to a local hospital for treatment. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
Earlier today, a separate 18-second CCTV video from the airport revealed the plane’s impact with the runway, showing it skidding along the ground before bursting into flames. This crash has underscored ongoing concerns about aviation safety in Nepal, where rapid sector expansion has been hampered by issues such as poor safety standards, inadequate training, and maintenance problems.
Nepal’s challenging geography, with high-altitude runways surrounded by mountainous terrain, presents significant difficulties for even experienced pilots. The region’s unpredictable weather conditions further complicate aviation safety. The European Union has responded to these concerns by banning Nepali carriers from its airspace due to safety issues.
The crash in Nepal follows a string of deadly aviation incidents in the region. In January last year, a Yeti Airlines plane crashed while landing in Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board, marking Nepal’s deadliest plane crash since 1992. That year, a Pakistani jet crashed in Kathmandu, killing 167, and a Thai Airways flight also crashed, resulting in 113 fatalities.
The incident has also drawn attention to the risks associated with table-top runways, which are found at five airports in India, including Shimla, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Lengpui (in Mizoram), and Pakyong (in Sikkim). These runways are situated on elevated terrain with steep drops on one or more sides, leaving little margin for error if an aircraft overshoots the runway. Both Kozhikode and Mangaluru have experienced significant crashes on table-top runways.
Sources By Agencies
