KATHMANDU- A Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Saurya Airlines (S1) crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), Nepal on July 24. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) reported the accident occurred at 11:11 local time.
The aircraft, registered as 9N-AME, veered right while taking off from runway 02. It crashed on the runway’s east side, resulting in 18 fatalities. The pilot survived the crash and is the sole survivor.
Nepal Plane Crash Captain
The flight was scheduled to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination. This route serves as a crucial link between Nepal’s capital and one of its major tourism hubs.
Social media footage shows the plane banking steeply right at a low altitude before attempting to level out. The aircraft struck the ground right-wing low.
The captain who survived is Manish Ratna Shakya. He is also a Director of Flight Operations at Saurya Airlines.
According to information Aviation A2Z gathered, he did his schooling at Mussoorie Modern School in Uttarakhand, India, and later studied at St. Xaviers School.
In 2012, he joined Simrik Airlines (ICAO: RMK), a former domestic carrier in Nepal, which has transformed into Guna Airlines (ICAO: GUA). The airline, previously headquartered in Kathmandu, operated scheduled flights within Nepal from its base at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Simrik Airlines maintained close ties with Simrik Air, a helicopter operator in Nepal. This partnership allowed the company to offer a diverse range of air services, combining fixed-wing and rotary-wing operations.
He joined Saurya Airlines in Dec 2014 and has been with carriers for around 9 years and 8 months. Captain Manish Ratna Shakya has flying experience of more than 12 years in commercial aviation.
Admitted in Hospital
The Saurya Airlines crew member now receives medical care at Kathmandu Medical College in Sinamangal. Emergency staff admitted Shakya upon arrival at the hospital. KMC officials remain tight-lipped about the pilot’s current condition.
The aircraft carried 19 individuals, including crew members, all of whom were Saurya Air employees and engineers en route to Pokhara for aircraft maintenance. While four people also died on the ground due to aircraft flame and parts.
The passenger list reveals a team of skilled professionals:
- Amit Mann Maharjan,
- Sagar Acharya,
- Dilip Barma,
- Manuraj Sharma,
- Ashwin Niraula,
- Sudip Lal Joshi,
- Sarvesh Marasini,
- Shyam Bindukar,
- Navraj Ale,
- Rajaram Acharya,
- Preeja Khatiwada,
- Adhiraj Sharma,
- Uddhav Puri,
- Yagya Prasad Poudyal,
- Santosh Mahato,
- Punya Ratna Shahi, and
- Arif Reda
These individuals, experts in their field, faced an unexpected challenge during their journey.
Cirium fleets data reveals the CRJ200, built in 2003, is powered by GE Aerospace CF34-3B1 turbofans. It previously flew for Atlantic Coast Airlines in the US before joining Saurya Airlines, formerly Kuber Airlines, in 2017.
We pray for peace for all who died and our condolence with their families. Those who are at fault should be punished and CAAN must improve their standards.
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Nepal Plane Crash: Saurya Airlines CRJ with 19 People Crash in Kathmandu
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