Turkish Airlines Aircraft Evacuated After Landing Gear Smoke Incident

May 12, 2026 — A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330, carrying 277 passengers and 11 crew members, was evacuated yesterday, May 11, at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, Nepal, after smoke was observed emanating from its landing gear during taxiing. All individuals on board were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.

The incident occurred following the normal landing of Turkish Airlines flight TK726, which originated from Istanbul. The aircraft, registered TC-JNP, subsequently had its passengers evacuated via emergency slides as a precautionary measure, as confirmed by Turkish Airlines.

Incident Details and Response

According to Turkish Airlines Senior Vice President of Communications, Yahya Üstün, the smoke detection prompted an immediate evacuation in accordance with Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions. Üstün stated, "The evacuation process was completed successfully and no injuries were reported."

Initial assessments by Turkish Airlines teams suggest the smoke resulted from a technical malfunction within a hydraulic pipe. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) confirmed that a fire in the aircraft's right rear tire was extinguished promptly. The aircraft was subsequently towed from the runway.

Airport Closure and Investigation

Tribhuvan International Airport experienced a temporary closure of approximately one hour following the incident, with the sole runway being unserviceable for nearly two hours. Gyanendra Bhul, spokesperson for the CAAN, stated to Agence France-Presse (AFP), "All aboard are safe, the rescue part is over. We are now investigating the accident."

A relief flight for the return journey for the passengers has been organized. Technical inspections of the aircraft are ongoing to determine the full extent and precise cause of the malfunction.

Broader Context of Aviation in Nepal

Nepal, characterized by its mountainous terrain, has a history of aviation incidents. In 2015, Tribhuvan International Airport was closed for multiple days after another Turkish Airlines aircraft skidded off the runway in dense fog, though no injuries were sustained in that event. More recently, in 2023, 68 individuals died in a Yeti Airlines domestic flight crash in Pokhara.

The quick response and successful evacuation in the May 11 incident underscore the importance of established safety protocols in mitigating potential risks during aircraft operations.