On Wednesday morning, a Saurya Airlines Aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The plane, bound for Pokhara, crashed within 20 to 22 seconds after taking off from the '0.2' (Koteshwar side) to '2.0' (Boudha side) of the runway. It veered to the right, caught fire, and was almost completely destroyed. Of the 19 people on board, only Captain Manish Shakya survived and was taken to the hospital.
This incident has sparked significant controversy and raised critical questions about aviation safety in Nepal. The flight was neither a regular passenger service nor a chartered flight. Saurya Airlines stated that the aircraft was en route to Pokhara for a "Complete Check" (C-Check), essentially a full maintenance procedure.
The presence of 18 people on board, beyond the necessary crew and technicians, has become a focal point of concern. According to aviation regulations, only technical personnel should be allowed on aircraft heading for maintenance. This apparent violation of protocol points to potential gross negligence by both Saurya Airlines and Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Gyanendra Bhul, an information officer for the CAA, confirmed that permission was granted for a "ferry flight" to Pokhara. He stated that such flights should only include the captain, co-pilot, and essential technical staff. Bhul also mentioned that the aircraft (registration number '9N-AME') had no known technical issues, with an airworthiness certificate valid until 2025 and only 119 flight hours logged.
Yagya Prasad Gautam, former Director General of the CAA and ex-deputy of the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the seriousness of allowing unrelated individuals on a maintenance flight. He expects the investigation commission to thoroughly examine how this was permitted.
An anonymous senior captain with 25 years of flying experience criticized both the airline and the regulatory authority for their apparent oversight. He stressed that only cockpit crew and a maximum of three to four flight engineers should be present on such flights, with no need for cabin crew.
The incident has highlighted potential gaps in Nepal's aviation safety measures. Saurya Airlines, as an 'MRO' (Maintenance Repair Overhaul) licensed company, is authorized to repair its own aircraft. However, this doesn't explain the presence of unauthorized personnel on the Aircraft.
A five-member commission has been formed to investigate the crash. Key areas of inquiry will likely include:
Why Saurya Airlines allowed unrelated persons on a maintenance flight
How the CAA approved the flight without checking the passenger manifest
Whether all passengers on board were necessary for the C-Check procedure
Aviation experts suggest that had proper attention been paid to regulations, while the accident might still have occurred, the loss of life could have been significantly reduced.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to aviation safety standards and the potential consequences when these are overlooked. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Nepal's aviation regulatory framework and the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols.
As the investigation unfolds, both Saurya Airlines and the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority will face scrutiny over their roles in this devastating incident. The findings may lead to significant changes in how maintenance flights are conducted and regulated in Nepal's aviation sector.
