Kathmandu: A domestic flight operated by Buddha Air successfully landed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on Thursday, despite experiencing a loss of its front wheel (nose landing gear) during takeoff from Janakpur.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) reported that the aircraft, identified by the call sign 9N-ANH, departed from Janakpur Airport at approximately 4:45 pm (NST) and arrived safely at 5:10 pm (NST).
Gyanendra Bhul, deputy spokesperson for CAAN, informed ANI via phone that the pilots were unaware of the wheel detaching during takeoff, and there were no indicators of any irregularities during the flight.
Upon landing at Tribhuvan International Airport, a standard technical inspection was performed, during which the absence of the nose landing gear was discovered, leading to an immediate search. The missing wheel was subsequently located near the runway at Janakpur Airport.
"The wheel was found at the turning point of the runway at Janakpur Airport. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain the cause of the incident," the official stated.
All 62 passengers aboard were unharmed, and the aircraft has been grounded while CAAN conducts a thorough investigation.
This incident is not the first for Buddha Air. On January 6, another aircraft from the airline was forced to make an emergency landing at Tribhuvan International Airport after reporting a "flame out" in its left engine while on its way to Bhadrapur.
Nepal has faced ongoing issues related to aviation safety, primarily stemming from inadequate air-safety regulations. As a result, the European Union has placed Nepali airlines on a blacklist due to their unsatisfactory safety performance.
