An Airbus A330 belonging to Turkish Airlines was evacuated after smoke was observed from its landing gear while taxiing after landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 11. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal stated that a fire broke out in the aircraft's right rear tyre, which was extinguished before the plane was towed to the taxiway. All 277 passengers and 11 crew members were evacuated safely using emergency exits, with no injuries reported.
Turkish Airlines' senior vice-president for communications, Yahya Ustun, mentioned on social media platform X that technical inspections revealed a suspected hydraulic pipe malfunction caused the smoke. The airline has planned an additional flight to return the passengers. The incident prompted an emergency response and temporary closure of the airport for an hour.
Authorities and the airline are conducting further assessments to determine the cause of the fire and ensure safety. The incident highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and safety protocols for the airline's fleet. No fatalities or injuries were associated with this event, and passengers were assisted promptly.
Additional related stories include investigations into a Bolivian military plane crash and search operations at a Jeju Air crash site, providing context for ongoing aviation safety concerns worldwide.
