NAC narrowbody grounded in Bhairahawa
The aircraft, a Sagarmatha narrowbody, had recently undergone a C-check maintenance in China, costing Rs 66.8 million, and was brought back to service just six days ago.
KATHMANDU: Dubai flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) was grounded in Bhairahawa on Wednesday night after a technical issue in the aircraft’s engine.
The aircraft, a Sagarmatha narrowbody, had recently undergone a C-check maintenance in China, costing Rs 66.8 million, and was brought back to service just six days ago.
The flight was scheduled to depart from Tribhuvan International Airport at 10:30 PM, stopping in Bhairahawa to pick up additional passengers before heading to Dubai. It landed in Bhairahawa at around 11:15 PM. However, an “overspeed protection” issue in the engine was detected, forcing the flight crew and engineers to ground the aircraft at 1 AM for repairs.
With only two NAC staff present in Bhairahawa, airport and immigration officials were called back to assist passengers. By 4 AM, the stranded travelers were accommodated in local hotels.
A source from NAC revealed that the aircraft had already faced a delay of two hours in Kathmandu due to a fuel meter replacement.
Meanwhile, NAC’s Executive Chairman is currently in Delhi for medical treatment, but discussions are ongoing to resolve the issue.
Engineers have been dispatched from Kathmandu, and efforts are underway to send the aircraft to Dubai within the day.
