A Turkish Airlines aircraft was evacuated after a tire caught fire during landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal [1].
The incident highlights the critical nature of landing gear maintenance and the rapid response requirements for international hubs in mountainous regions. Any runway closure at Nepal's primary gateway can disrupt regional flight schedules and logistics.
The fire occurred on Monday, May 11, 2024 [1]. Upon landing, one of the aircraft's tires ignited, prompting an immediate emergency response from airport authorities. Crew members evacuated the plane to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff [3].
Airport officials said that no injuries occurred during the landing or the subsequent evacuation [2]. The emergency necessitated a temporary shutdown of the facility to allow firefighting teams to secure the aircraft and clear the runway. The airport remained closed for approximately one hour [3].
Tribhuvan International Airport serves as the main hub for aviation in Nepal. The temporary closure caused a brief halt in operations, though the runway was reopened shortly after the fire was extinguished and the aircraft was moved. The specific cause of the tire ignition was not specified in the initial reports [1].
Flight operations returned to normal following the incident. Turkish Airlines has not released a detailed statement regarding the mechanical state of the aircraft prior to the landing [3].
“No injuries occurred during the landing or the subsequent evacuation.”
While tire fires are relatively common during high-friction landings, the closure of Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal's sole international gateway, demonstrates the vulnerability of the nation's aviation infrastructure. The rapid evacuation and limited shutdown time indicate effective emergency protocol execution, but the event underscores the risks associated with the airport's high-traffic demands.
