Buddha Air plane skids off runway, all passengers safe
The aircraft, flight number 805, had departed from Kathmandu at 9:30 PM and was landing from east to west when the incident occurred.
KATHMANDU: A Buddha Air aircraft skidded off the runway while landing at Gautam Buddha International Airport last night.
According to District Police Office Rupandehi’s spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police Manohar Prasad Bhatta, the plane’s wheels touched the ground (soil) as it skidded off the runway edge.
The aircraft, flight number 805, had departed from Kathmandu at 9:30 PM and was landing from east to west when the incident occurred.
Spokesperson Bhatta reported, “All passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft.” The aircraft was carrying 59 passengers, including crew members.
As the plane remains on the runway, the airport is currently closed, Bhatta informed.
Efforts by Buddha Air’s technical team and security personnel to tow the aircraft to a safe location last night were unsuccessful. He added that additional technical teams from Buddha Air are on their way to Bhairahawa from Kathmandu.