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7 injured as Buddha Air flight 901 runs off runway, probe underway (photos)

The aircraft, bearing registration 9N-AMF, skidded off the runway while landing at around 9:10 PM, overshooting approximately 300 meters east of the runway.

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7 injured as Buddha Air flight 901 runs off runway, probe underway (photos)

KATHMANDU: A Buddha Air ATR-72 aircraft operating Flight 901 from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur was involved in a runway overrun accident during landing at Bhadrapur Airport, Jhapa, on Friday night, officials confirmed.

The aircraft, bearing registration 9N-AMF, skidded off the runway while landing at around 9:10 PM, overshooting approximately 300 meters east of the runway before coming to rest in a grassy and muddy area.

Passengers and Crew Details

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and Buddha Air, the aircraft was carrying:

51 passengers
4 flight crew members
1 aircraft engineer

All 56 people onboard were safely evacuated.

Injuries Reported

Police confirmed that seven people were injured, including:

Co-pilot Sujash Shrestha (24) of Lalitpur-4, who sustained head and facial injuries
Six passengers with minor injuries

The injured were immediately rescued by Nepal Police, Nepali Army, airport personnel, and Buddha Air staff, and taken to Omsai Pathibhara Hospital, Bhadrapur.

Hospital sources said:

The co-pilot remains under medical observation
All six injured passengers were treated and discharged

List of Injured Passengers

Police identified the injured passengers as:

Sabin Jogi (40), Bhadrapur-10
Preshika Adhikari (20), Birtamode-7
Sumitra Jogi (42), Birtamode-1
Kamal Prasad Katuwal (28), Damak-1
Muna Ghatani (40), Kathmandu-16
Priya Ghatani (16), Kathmandu-16

Eyewitness Accounts

Among the passengers was Arjundhara Municipality Mayor Baldev Singh Gomden Tamang, who described the incident as terrifying. “The landing was normal, but the aircraft did not stop. We broke the door and jumped out to survive,” he said.

Passenger Umesh Moktan opened the aircraft’s emergency exit, enabling passengers to escape. “After landing, we heard a loud skid, saw smoke from behind, and smelled something burning. People panicked and started screaming. I forced open the emergency door and passengers jumped out to save their lives,” Moktan said.

Official Statements

CAAN spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul confirmed that the ATR-72 aircraft skidded off the runway during landing but emphasized that all passengers and crew were safe.

Jhapa Police Chief SSP Rajan Limbu said a 70-member police rescue team was immediately deployed and successfully evacuated everyone onboard.

Buddha Air’s Official Response

Buddha Air issued an official statement on Saturday, expressing serious concern over the incident and committing to full cooperation with regulatory authorities during the investigation.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to Nepal Police, Nepali Army, Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and our staff for their prompt rescue efforts. Buddha Air will fully cooperate with CAAN in the detailed investigation,” the airline said.