Buddha Air Plane Crashes While Landing at Bhadrapur Airport, All 51 On Board Safe

A Buddha Air aircraft crashed after slipping off the runway during landing at Bhadrapur Airport in Jhapa district on Friday night. The aircraft, an ATR 72 with call sign 9N-MF, was operating a Kathmandu–Bhadrapur flight when the incident occurred.

According to initial information, the plane overshot the runway while landing and moved into the grassy area beside the runway. Immediately after the incident, rescue teams and security personnel reached the site and began safety procedures.

A technical and investigation team from Kathmandu is now heading toward Bhadrapur Airport to study the incident. The team includes acting Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal Dev Chandra Lal Karn, Tribhuvan International Airport General Manager Tek Nath Sitoula, senior officials from Buddha Air, aviation engineers, Nepali Army personnel, and rescue workers.

General Manager Sitoula said the team would conduct a detailed technical inspection of the aircraft and runway. He added that the investigation would help identify the possible cause of the crash and determine the condition of the aircraft.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal confirmed that there were 51 passengers on board the aircraft, along with crew members. All passengers and crew are safe, and everyone has been evacuated from the plane.

Jhapa Chief District Officer Shivaram Gelal said the aircraft went slightly beyond the runway area and that authorities are continuing to gather more details. Koshi Province Deputy Inspector General Binod Ghimire also stated that the plane slipped below the runway during the landing process.

Kathmandu Airport spokesperson Rinji Sherpa said the aircraft, operating as Buddha Air flight number 901, reached the grassy area due to a runway overrun. Passenger disembarkation was carried out smoothly, and no injuries were reported.

Buddha Air spokesperson Dipendra Karn confirmed that the aircraft slipped off the runway during landing and said a technical team is being dispatched from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur for a thorough examination.

Officials said further details would be shared after the technical investigation is completed.