Engine Fire Erupts
A flight carrying 236 individuals from Kathmandu to Istanbul encountered a grave technical issue just minutes after its departure from Nepal's capital.
The aircraft, identified as a Turkish Airlines flight 'THY-727', experienced a fire in its right engine approximately four minutes into its journey, at around 1:28 PM local time. This alarming development prompted the flight crew to immediately alert air traffic control in Kolkata, India, indicating a potential emergency situation onboard. The incident triggered significant concern, leading to a diversion from the planned route over the west of Kathmandu.
Precarious Diversion
Following the alarming discovery of a fire in the right engine, the pilot of the Turkish Airlines flight made a critical decision to divert the aircraft. After shutting down the compromised engine, the plane remained airborne for about ten minutes while the crew assessed the situation. The pilot communicated with the Kathmandu tower and continued to fly on a single engine, holding a position over the Dharke area in Nepal's Dhading district. This maneuver allowed the crew time to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the safest course of action for the 236 passengers on board.
Kolkata Landing Secured
Ultimately, after evaluating the compromised state of the aircraft, the flight crew concluded that continuing the long-haul journey to Istanbul would pose an unacceptable risk. Although alternative options like returning to Kathmandu or landing in Bhairahawa were considered, the pilots prioritized passenger safety and chose to reroute to the nearest suitable international airport. This led to the aircraft making an emergency landing at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, at approximately 2:49 PM. Upon landing, the aircraft was immediately taken for thorough inspection by airport authorities.
