Dramatic Diversion Unfolds
A widebody Turkish Airlines aircraft, en route from Kathmandu to Istanbul, was forced into an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International
Airport in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon. The critical decision came after the plane's right engine reportedly erupted in flames just moments after its ascent from Kathmandu. Airport officials confirmed that all 225 passengers and the 11 crew members aboard the flight arrived safely, with no injuries reported. The aircraft has since been positioned at the Kolkata airport for a thorough technical examination following the alarming incident.
Engine Failure Detected
Flight THY-727, an Airbus A330-300, commenced its journey from Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport at 1:29 PM. Tragically, within a mere four minutes of departure, the flight crew identified a serious malfunction in the aircraft's right engine. According to Gyanendra Bhul, deputy spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the pilot promptly alerted air traffic control at Kathmandu and initiated the shutdown sequence for the compromised engine. The aircraft then spent approximately 10 minutes maneuvering over the Dharke area in Dhading district to allow the crew to assess the severity of the situation and determine the best course of action.
Decision for Kolkata
Facing a critical engine failure, the flight crew evaluated their options, which included returning to Kathmandu or diverting to Bhairahawa. However, after careful consideration, they concluded that the aircraft was not in a condition to undertake further long-haul travel. The paramount concern for passenger and crew safety led them to prioritize an immediate emergency landing. Consequently, the plane successfully touched down in Kolkata at 3:03 PM, a testament to the crew's skillful handling of the perilous situation.
Aviation Safety Concerns
This emergency landing occurs against a backdrop of heightened apprehension regarding aviation safety standards. Only last week, a Learjet 45 charter aircraft operated by VSR Ventures met with a tragic crash during landing in Baramati, Maharashtra, resulting in the loss of five lives, including that of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated a special audit of the operator involved. Furthermore, on June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner tragically crashed into a building shortly after takeoff from an Ahmedabad suburb, claiming 260 lives. The inquiry into that incident pointed to a sudden loss of thrust, believed to be caused by fuel control switches inadvertently moving to the 'cutoff' position.
