Kathmandu [Nepal], February 4 (ANI): The right engine of a Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft caught fire shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon, prompting an emergency response, airport officials confirmed.
The aircraft, en route from Kathmandu to Istanbul, experienced the engine fire within minutes of departure. “The Turkish Airlines flight number THY-727 caught fire within four minutes of takeoff. The right engine caught fire after the aircraft took off at 1:28 p.m. local time,” said Teknath Sitaula, General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport, speaking to ANI over the phone.
According to officials, the pilots diverted the aircraft west of Kathmandu, shut down the affected engine, and held the aircraft in the air for approximately 10 minutes as a precautionary measure.
Authorities said the wide-body Airbus A330-303 aircraft was carrying 225 passengers. The Kathmandu Post reported that there were 11 crew members on board, taking the total number of people on the aircraft to 236.
Following the reported engine fire, Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed for about 15 minutes as safety protocols were implemented.
The aircraft later made a full emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. The airport director said the aircraft’s captain had informed Kolkata Air Traffic Control of a possible fire in the right engine. The aircraft landed at 2:49 p.m. local time with all 236 passengers on board.
The aircraft remains at Kolkata airport, where inspections are currently underway, officials said. (ANI)
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