A Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Nepalese carrier Saurya Airlines has crashed during take-off from Kathmandu airport, with fatalities among those on board.
The accident took place at 11:11 local time on 24 July, states the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). The aircraft (9N-AME) was operating a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
According to the CAAN, the regional jet veered right as it was taking off and crashed at the east side of runway 02. The accident left 18 dead, with the pilot the sole survivor.
Footage circulating on social media indicates the aircraft banked excessively to the right at low height before appearing to start rolling back towards wings-level flight while descending, ultimately striking the ground right-wing low.
Cirium fleets data indicates the aircraft (MSN7772) is built in 2003, and is powered by two GE Aerospace CF34-3B1 turbofans.
It first operated with now-defunct US operator Atlantic Coast Airlines and entered service with Saurya Airlines – formerly known as Kuber Airlines – in 2017. Saurya Airlines has two CRJ200s in their fleet.
The accident comes a year since the fatal crash involving a Yeti Airlines ATR 72-500, which was operating flight YT691 from Kathmandu to Pokhara
The turboprop, carrying 72 passengers and crew, was on approach to Pokhara airport when it crashed, killing everyone on board. The crash is the country’s worst domestic aviation accident.
