Kathmandu: A Turkish Airlines aircraft has been grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport after flames were spotted during landing on Monday morning, prompting an emergency evacuation and a temporary shutdown of Nepal’s only international airport.
The incident occurred at around 6:35 a.m. when Turkish Airlines flight TK726 from Istanbul was taxiing toward the parking bay after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport. Airport officials said flames were seen coming from the aircraft’s right landing gear, forcing the plane to stop immediately while emergency crews carried out a rapid evacuation.
All 273 passengers, 11 crew members and four infants on board were safely rescued. The aircraft was later towed to a parking bay after the fire was brought under control.
The airport remained closed for more than one and a half hours during the emergency response, firefighting operation and aircraft removal process. Flight operations resumed at around 8:15 a.m., and both domestic and international services are now operating normally.
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft will remain grounded until investigators determine the cause of the fire and necessary repairs are completed. Information officer Gyanendra Bhul said the problem may have originated from the tyre hydraulic system, lubricants or another technical component.
Technical teams from both the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and Turkish Airlines are currently inspecting the aircraft and assessing the damage.
Acting airport general manager Tek Nath Sitoula said firefighters were able to contain the blaze immediately after flames appeared near the wheels during landing.
Passengers who had already boarded the return flight from Kathmandu were later taken to hotels arranged by the airline after the departure was cancelled.
Airport authorities said Turkish Airlines operates regular flights to Kathmandu, and affected passengers will either be accommodated on upcoming flights or rerouted through alternative aircraft, depending on urgency.
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