Fire on Turkish Airlines flight shuts airport as passengers forced to use emergency escape

Flight operations had to be halted after a major airport was closed following an incident involving a Turkish Airlines aircraft. The Tribhuvan International Airport was closed for 98 minutes, between 6.34am and 8.12am on Monday, May 11, according to Gyanendra Bhul, assistant spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal. It is understood that a fire broke out in the aircraft’s right main landing gear. Part of the airline's wide-body aircraft became stranded on Taxiway Bravo, while the rest of the aircraft remained on the runway . Authorities were forced to halt all domestic and international flights. A total of 288 people, including 11 crew members, were on board the aircraft, The Kathmandu Post reported. Preliminary information showed that a tyre on the aircraft’s right main landing gear had caught fire. Possible causes could include a hard landing, tyre pressure issues or other technical problems, officials said. Passengers were evacuated using evacuation slides. Two passengers sustained minor injuries to their fingers, according to Turkish Airlines. The aircraft has been grounded while technical inspections continue and hotel arrangements have been made for passengers scheduled to depart from Kathmandu. Authorities are also preparing to send urgent travellers to their destinations on alternative flights. A maintenance, repair and overhaul team will investigate at the airport, while the Civil Aviation Authority’s Flight Safety Standard Department will also carry out a detailed inquiry.