Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 Crashes After Takeoff from Kathmandu, 18 Dead

Kathmandu, Nepal – On July 24th, 2024, a Saurya Airlines Canadair CRJ-200, registered 9N-AME, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The aircraft was performing a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara with 19 people on board, all of whom were employees of the airline. The crash claimed the lives of 18 individuals, leaving only the captain as the sole survivor.

Incident Overview

The flight, which took off from runway 02 at Kathmandu at approximately 11:11 local time (06:26 UTC), encountered difficulties almost immediately after becoming airborne. Witnesses and initial reports indicate that the aircraft began to bank sharply to the right soon after takeoff. The bank angle increased until the aircraft was nearly in a vertical position, with its wings pointing downward. The CRJ-200 then lost height rapidly and impacted the ground on the east side of the runway, near Apraksino/Kolomna, causing a massive fire upon impact.

Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, where they managed to control the fire. Tragically, 18 of the 19 people on board were found deceased at the site. The captain, who was the only survivor, was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries.

Aircraft and Flight Details

Saurya Airlines, a Nepalese carrier founded in 2014, operates a small fleet of CRJ-200 aircraft, serving five domestic destinations across Nepal. The ill-fated flight was a ferry flight, meaning it was not carrying passengers but rather transporting 17 technicians along with the two pilots to Pokhara, where maintenance work was scheduled to be performed.

Investigation and Response

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) confirmed the crash and has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Initial reports have focused on the unusual behavior of the aircraft shortly after takeoff, specifically its severe right bank and subsequent loss of altitude.

The weather conditions at the time of the incident were reported to be generally stable, with light winds and good visibility. METAR data from Tribhuvan International Airport indicated few clouds at low levels, scattered clouds at higher altitudes, and no significant weather phenomena that would typically contribute to such a severe incident.

The investigation will likely examine several factors, including the aircraft’s mechanical condition, potential pilot error, and any possible environmental factors. The CRJ-200 had reportedly undergone maintenance recently, which could be a focal point of the investigation to determine whether any technical issues contributed to the crash.

Airline and Industry Impact

The loss of 18 lives in this tragic accident is a significant blow to Saurya Airlines and the broader aviation community in Nepal. The airline, which has been operating for a decade, will now face intense scrutiny as investigators seek to understand what went wrong during the routine ferry flight.

The incident also underscores the challenges of aviation in Nepal, a country known for its difficult flying conditions due to its mountainous terrain and rapidly changing weather. However, in this case, the crash occurred under seemingly benign conditions shortly after takeoff from the capital’s main airport, raising serious concerns about the flight’s circumstances.

Conclusion

The crash of Saurya Airlines flight 9N-AME is a devastating event, resulting in the loss of 18 lives and raising numerous questions that investigators will seek to answer in the coming weeks and months. The aviation community will be closely watching the progress of the investigation, hoping to uncover the root cause of this tragic accident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

As the captain, the sole survivor, recovers, his testimony may provide crucial insights into the final moments of the flight. Meanwhile, Saurya Airlines and Nepal’s aviation authorities will undoubtedly be focused on understanding the incident fully and implementing any necessary safety measures to protect against such tragedies in the future.