Turkish Airlines landing gear fire at Kathmandu airport: 288 safe
Synopsis
A Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul burst into flames at the rear landing gear on touchdown at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport on 11 May, prompting an emergency evacuation of all 288 people on board. The airport has since reopened, but the aircraft remains grounded as Nepal's aviation authority launches a full technical investigation.
Key Takeaways
A Turkish Airlines aircraft's rear landing gear caught fire on landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu on 11 May at around 6:35 am .
All 288 passengers and crew were safely evacuated through emergency exits and escorted to the terminal.
Airport emergency teams extinguished the fire using fire engines; TIA has since reopened.
The aircraft has been fully grounded ; the MRO team and CAAN's Flight Safety Department have launched a technical investigation.
Hotel arrangements have been made for affected passengers; urgent travellers are being rerouted on other aircraft.
A previous Turkish Airlines incident at TIA occurred on 4 March 2015 , when a plane skidded off the runway — with no casualties reported.
All 288 passengers and crew aboard a Turkish Airlines flight were safely evacuated after the aircraft's rear landing gear caught fire during touchdown at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu on Monday, 11 May, at around 6:35 am IST. The flight had arrived from Istanbul when sparks and flames erupted in the rear undercarriage, triggering an immediate emergency response.
How the Evacuation Unfolded
Airport emergency response teams reached the site within minutes of the fire being spotted, deploying fire engines to bring the blaze under control. Passengers were evacuated through emergency exits and escorted to the terminal building. Gyanendra Bhul, information officer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), confirmed that all passengers were brought safely to the terminal and that baggage had also been fully unloaded. "The aircraft has now been moved to the airport bay, the airport has reopened, and the situation is normal," Bhul said.
Flight Operations Disrupted Briefly
Regular flight operations at TIA were disrupted for a period following the incident before the airport resumed normal functioning. The affected aircraft has been fully grounded pending a technical inspection. Hotel arrangements have been made for passengers who were scheduled to depart from Kathmandu, while authorities are working to reroute urgent travellers on alternative flights.
Investigation Under Way
The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) team is conducting a technical inspection of the aircraft at Tribhuvan International Airport. The Flight Safety Department of the Civil Aviation Authority has also launched a detailed probe. "We have started a detailed technical study of the incident," Bhul said. The investigation is expected to determine the cause of the landing gear fire and assess any structural damage to the aircraft.
Turkish Airlines at TIA: A History
Turkish Airlines currently operates five weekly flights to Nepal, connecting the country with Europe, the United States, and Canada. It is regarded as one of the major Europe-based long-haul carriers serving Nepal. This is not the first incident involving the airline at TIA. On 4 March 2015, a Turkish Airlines aircraft skidded off the runway and veered onto the grassy shoulder after losing balance during landing, extensively damaging the aircraft — though no human casualties were reported in that incident either.
With the investigation now under way, aviation authorities are expected to issue a formal report on the cause of Monday's fire in the coming days.
Point of View
Ringed by hills and operating with limited instrument approaches — leaves little margin for error. The swift evacuation reflects well on TIA's emergency response, but the recurrence of a Turkish Airlines incident at the same airport, a decade apart, will prompt questions about aircraft maintenance checks on long-haul routes into high-altitude, complex-approach airports. Nepal's aviation safety record has faced international scrutiny in recent years; how CAAN handles the investigation and whether findings are made public will matter for the country's aviation credibility.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Turkish Airlines flight at Kathmandu airport?
A Turkish Airlines flight arriving from Istanbul caught fire in its rear landing gear during landing at Tribhuvan International Airport on 11 May at around 6:35 am. All 288 passengers and crew were safely evacuated through emergency exits.
Were there any casualties in the Turkish Airlines fire at TIA?
No casualties were reported. All 288 people on board were evacuated safely and escorted to the terminal building, according to CAAN officials.
Has the Kathmandu airport reopened after the Turkish Airlines incident?
Yes, Tribhuvan International Airport reopened after a brief disruption to regular flight operations. The affected aircraft has been moved to the airport bay and grounded for inspection.
Who is investigating the Turkish Airlines landing gear fire?
The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) team is conducting a technical inspection at TIA, while CAAN's Flight Safety Department has launched a separate detailed probe into the incident.
Has Turkish Airlines had a previous accident at Kathmandu airport?
Yes. On 4 March 2015, a Turkish Airlines aircraft skidded off the runway at TIA and veered onto the grassy shoulder after losing balance during landing, extensively damaging the plane. No human casualties were reported in that incident.
