A Buddha Air flight traveling from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport in eastern Nepal narrowly avoided disaster on Friday night, sending a wave of fear through passengers when the aircraft skidded off the runway while landing. Although the situation was tense and alarming, all passengers and crew members escaped without serious injuries, marking the incident as a close call rather than a tragedy.

The aircraft involved was Flight 901, an ATR 72-500 turboprop registered as 9N-AMF. It was carrying 51 passengers along with four crew members on what is typically a short and routine domestic journey. The flight departed Kathmandu at around 8:23 PM and approached Bhadrapur Airport under nighttime conditions. During landing, however, the aircraft was unable to stop within the designated runway length and overshot it by approximately 200 meters, eventually coming to a halt near a small rivulet beyond the runway perimeter. While the aircraft sustained minor damage, the structural integrity remained largely intact, preventing a more serious outcome.

Passengers onboard later recounted moments of intense panic immediately after touchdown as they realized the plane was not slowing as expected. Despite the fear, the flight crew acted swiftly and professionally, maintaining order inside the cabin and ensuring that evacuation procedures were followed calmly and efficiently. Their prompt response played a crucial role in preventing injuries and further escalation of the situation.

Emergency services were mobilized almost immediately after the incident. Teams from Nepal Police, the Nepali Army, airport authorities, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal arrived at the site to assist with evacuation and safety checks. All 55 individuals on board were safely escorted away from the aircraft. A few passengers received on-site medical attention for minor issues such as shock or light bruises, but none required hospitalization. Buddha Air later confirmed that everyone onboard was safe and accounted for. The airline dispatched a technical and relief team from Kathmandu on another flight to inspect the aircraft and support the ongoing investigation. Airport operations at Bhadrapur were temporarily disrupted as safety assessments and runway inspections were conducted, but services resumed after clearance was granted by authorities.

This incident once again draws attention to the broader challenges facing Nepal’s aviation sector. The country’s difficult geography, short runways, and rapidly changing weather conditions place significant demands on pilots and aircraft. Nepal has experienced several serious aviation accidents in recent years, underscoring the risks involved. In July last year, a Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 18 of the 19 people onboard. Even more devastating was the 2023 Yeti Airlines ATR 72 crash in Pokhara, which claimed 72 lives after a pilot error involving the propeller system.

Aviation experts continue to stress that incidents like runway overruns can often be prevented through improved pilot training, stricter operational protocols, and infrastructure upgrades, particularly runway extensions and better safety zones. While the Buddha Air incident ended without loss of life, it serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly routine flights in challenging environments can turn dangerous, and how critical proactive safety measures are to preventing future tragedies.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.