Kathmandu, November 29 (Daily Kiran): A Buddha Air aircraft flying on the Kathmandu–Pokhara route was hit by a bird during landing at Pokhara Airport on Saturday. The incident involved Flight Number 617.
According to Buddha Air’s Pokhara office, preliminary investigation revealed that the aircraft collided with a vulture. The ATR–72 aircraft, bearing the call sign Alpha–Oscar–Charlie, struck the bird while landing from the eastern side of Runway Number 12. The impact caused damage to one propeller of the aircraft’s right engine.
In an official statement, Buddha Air confirmed that a total of 68 passengers were on board at the time of the incident. All passengers and crew members are safe. The aircraft was scheduled to return to Kathmandu with 72 passengers, but it will resume operations only after damage assessment and necessary repairs.
Pokhara Airport General Manager Jagannath Niraula said that about a month ago, another Buddha Air ATR aircraft flying from Pokhara to Kathmandu had also collided with a vulture and had to return to the runway.
Pokhara is considered one of the airports in Nepal with high bird activity, requiring airlines and pilots to exercise extra caution. Officials stated that the Egyptian vulture is a migratory bird that is often seen in the Pokhara region.
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