A Turkish Airlines aircraft caught fire while landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Monday morning (May 11). All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, according to reports by Al Jazeera.

The incident occurred as Flight TK726, which had departed from Istanbul, Turkey, was touching down at the airport. Initial reports indicate that the fire broke out in the aircraft's landing gear (tires) during the landing sequence.

Emergency Evacuation
There were 278 passengers and 11 crew members on board at the time of the accident. The sudden fire sparked significant panic among those on board; however, the pilots managed to ground the aircraft on the runway.

Airport fire services responded immediately, bringing the flames under control and facilitating a swift evacuation.

According to the Indian news agency ANI, while all 278 passengers are safe, the exact cause of the fire remains unclear. An investigation has been launched to determine the technical failure behind the incident.

Challenges of "Tabletop" Runways
Tribhuvan International Airport is classified as a "tabletop" airport, meaning it is situated on a plateau at a higher elevation than the surrounding terrain, often with steep drops at one or both ends of the runway.

These types of airports are notorious for testing the skills and experience of pilots. Nepal has a history of aviation challenges, with several significant accidents occurring at this airport since 2010, including a major incident last year.

This latest event once again highlights the logistical and safety complexities of operating in the region’s unique geographical landscape.