Overview
On January 5th, 2025, a Buddha Air ATR-72-212A (registration 9N-AJS) operating flight U4-953 from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur (Nepal) experienced a left engine failure shortly after departure. The crew conducted a safe return to Kathmandu, ensuring the safety of all 72 passengers and 4 crew members on board.
Incident Details
Flight Information
• Aircraft Type: ATR-72-212A
• Registration: 9N-AJS
• Operator: Buddha Air
• Flight Number: U4-953
• Route: Kathmandu (KTM) to Bhadrapur (BDP)
• Occupants: 76 (72 passengers, 4 crew)
• Weather Conditions: No significant adverse weather reported
Sequence of Events
1. Departure:
• The aircraft departed from Kathmandu’s runway 02 and began its initial climb.
2. Engine Failure:
• During the climb to cruising altitude, the left-hand engine (Pratt & Whitney PW127) failed, triggering a series of alerts.
• The crew stabilised the aircraft at approximately 13,000 feet and performed necessary checklists to secure the engine.
3. Return to Kathmandu:
• The crew declared an emergency and coordinated with Kathmandu Air Traffic Control (ATC) to return to the departure airport.
• The aircraft landed safely on runway 02, approximately 40 minutes after departure.
4. Replacement Aircraft:
• A replacement ATR-72 (registration 9N-AOC) was dispatched to complete the journey to Bhadrapur with a delay of about 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Preliminary Findings
Engine Failure Analysis
1. Probable Cause:
• Initial observations suggest a mechanical or technical failure within the Pratt & Whitney PW127 engine.
• Potential causes include:
• Compressor stall or failure.
• Fuel system malfunction.
• Foreign Object Damage (FOD).
2. Indicators:
• The crew reported abnormal engine behaviour, prompting the immediate shutdown of the affected engine.
• There were no signs of fire or smoke.
Crew and Aircraft Performance
Crew Actions
• Immediate Response:
• The flight crew demonstrated excellent situational awareness by securing the failed engine and stabilising the aircraft.
• They executed a safe return to Kathmandu while maintaining communication with ATC and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Passenger Safety:
• No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Aircraft Systems
• Engine Shut Down:
• The left-hand engine was promptly shut down following failure indications.
• Aircraft Control:
• The ATR-72’s twin-engine design allowed the aircraft to maintain sufficient power for safe operations on a single engine.
Recommendations
Immediate Actions
1. Engine Inspection:
• Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the failed Pratt & Whitney PW127 engine to identify the root cause.
2. Aircraft Maintenance:
• Inspect critical components such as the fuel system, compressor, and turbine stages for potential faults.
3. Operational Review:
• Assess maintenance records and procedures for compliance with safety standards.
Long-Term Measures
1. Fleet-Wide Checks:
• As a precaution, inspect other ATR-72 aircraft in Buddha Air’s fleet for similar vulnerabilities.
2. Training and Procedures:
• Reinforce engine failure response protocols during recurrent crew training.
3. Collaborative Investigation:
• Work with Pratt & Whitney to understand any systemic issues with the PW127 engine and implement preventive measures.
Conclusion
The prompt actions of the flight crew ensured a safe outcome despite the engine failure. Further investigation is required to determine the precise cause of the failure, with special attention to engine performance and maintenance history. Buddha Air’s adherence to safety protocols underscores their commitment to passenger safety.
Disclaimer
This report is based on the facts and evidence available at the time of writing. We apologise for any omissions or errors. For image takedowns, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
