A Turkish Airlines Airbus aircraft tire caught fire during landing at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday, May 11, 2024.
The incident underscores the critical nature of emergency evacuation protocols in high-density aviation environments. Rapid response by ground crews and flight staff prevented a localized mechanical failure from becoming a mass-casualty event.
The fire ignited on the aircraft's tire during the landing roll [1, 2]. This triggered immediate emergency procedures to clear the aircraft and ensure the safety of those on board. A total of 288 people were evacuated from the plane [3].
According to flight records, the aircraft carried 277 passengers and 11 crew members [4, 5]. No injuries were reported following the evacuation [6].
Airport operations at Tribhuvan International Airport were halted for nearly an hour while emergency teams managed the scene and cleared the runway [7]. The disruption affected subsequent flight schedules at Nepal's main aviation hub.
Turkish Airlines has not issued a detailed technical report on the cause of the tire failure. However, the safe exit of all occupants suggests that the emergency slides and evacuation drills were executed effectively.
“A total of 288 people were evacuated from the plane”
This event highlights the inherent risks of landing-roll mechanical failures, where friction and heat can lead to tire combustion. The successful evacuation of nearly 300 people without injury demonstrates the efficacy of current Airbus safety protocols and the readiness of Kathmandu's emergency services to handle critical incidents at a primary international gateway.
