In a devastating incident at Kathmandu airport, the only surviving pilot of a plane crash narrowly escaped death after the cockpit was severed by a freight container moments before the aircraft erupted into flames.
Captain Manish Ratna Shakya, the sole survivor, is currently hospitalized but has regained consciousness and reassured family members he is “all good.”
Rescue personnel reached Shakya as the flames advanced towards the cockpit section, which had become lodged in a freight container.
“He was struggling to breathe as the air shield was open. We broke the window and pulled him out immediately,” stated Senior Superintendent of Nepal Police, Dambar Bishwakarma.
“When we rescued him, he was covered in blood, but thankfully, he was able to speak,” he added.
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Minister, Badri Pandey, provided details on the crash dynamics, explaining that the aircraft abruptly veered right during takeoff, colliding with a container before meeting its tragic end.
CCTV footage captured the aircraft engulfed in flames as it sped across the runway, with part of it plummeting into a valley.
“The cockpit became entangled in the container, which is what enabled the captain to survive,” Mr. Pandey noted.
“The remaining part of the plane crashed into a nearby mound, disintegrating on impact. The area outside the cockpit’s landing spot ignited and was completely consumed by fire,” added Mr. Pandey.
The pilot was rescued within five minutes of the crash and, despite his fear, remained conscious. He was subsequently transported to the hospital via an army ambulance.
According to medical officials, he sustained injuries to his head and face and faces upcoming surgery to address broken bones in his back.
“We are treating a variety of injuries,” said the hospital’s medical director, adding that he is currently under observation.
Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma visited the pilot in the hospital, offering support to the family during this difficult time.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
An official from Tribhuvan International Airport mentioned an initial assessment indicating that the aircraft flew off course. “As it took off, it turned right instead of left,” he explained.
Nepal has been criticized for its aviation safety, with a catastrophic crash earlier this year claiming 72 lives, attributed to pilot error. This was the deadliest air disaster in the region since 1992.
Saruya Airlines operates flights to multiple domestic destinations, utilizing a fleet of three Bombardier CRJ-200 jets.
