A passenger aircraft operated by Buddha Air skidded off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport in eastern Nepal late Thursday evening. The ATR 72-500 turboprop, arriving from Kathmandu, overshot the runway approximately 9:08 p.m. local time, traveling around 200 meters into a grassy area near a small stream. Fortunately, all 55 passengers and four crew members onboard were unharmed.
The airline confirmed the flight, numbered 9N-AMF, was carrying 51 passengers and four crew members at the time of the incident. Shivaram Gelal, the Chief District Officer of Jhapa, reported no injuries and stated the aircraft sustained only minor damage. Emergency protocols were activated immediately following the incident, and safety officials conducted an initial assessment of the site, briefly impacting airport operations.
Context and Background
Nepal's aviation sector has faced scrutiny following several high-profile accidents, including the 2023 Yeti Airlines crash in Pokhara that killed all 72 onboard, and a 2024 Saurya Airlines crash in Kathmandu which resulted in 18 fatalities. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of this latest runway excursion, with an official investigation underway.
