Runway overshoot, close call: Buddha Air ATR veers off strip in eastern Nepal | Video

The incident has once again put the spotlight on Nepal’s aviation safety standards, which have faced repeated scrutiny in recent years.

• Buddha Air ATR 72 overshot Bhadrapur runway; all passengers safe.
• Teams from Kathmandu sent to assess aircraft and aid operations.
• Incident renews focus on Nepal's aviation safety after recent fatal crashes

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A turboprop passenger aircraft operated by Buddha Air veered off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur airport in eastern Nepal on Tuesday, the airline said, in the latest aviation incident to draw attention to the country’s flight safety record.

The aircraft was carrying 51 passengers and four crew members. All onboard are safe, according to the airline.

🇳🇵⚡ Jhapa, Nepal: Buddha Air confirmed that its ATR aircraft operating from Kathmandu veered off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport in Nepal. ⚠️ All 51 passengers and 4 crew members are safe. The aircraft reportedly stopped about 300 meters east of the runway. pic.twitter.com/ZKxJqrAF9h

— Osint World (@OsiOsint1) January 2, 2026

Flight details and aircraft type

The flight had arrived from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. Flight tracking data identified the aircraft as an ATR 72-500 turboprop, operating under flight number 9N-AMF.

During landing, the aircraft overshot the runway by roughly 200 metres and came to a stop near a rivulet just beyond the airport perimeter. The plane sustained minor damage, the airline said.

#FlightAlert काठमाडौंबाट भद्रपुर उडान संख्या 901 जहाज 9N-AMF भद्रपुर विमानस्थलमा अवतरणका क्रममा रनवेबाट बाहिरिएको छ । सो जहाजमा 51 जना यात्रु रहेका थिए । यात्रु एवं चालक दल [४ जना] सबैजना सुरक्षित रहेका छन् । काठमाडौंबाट अर्को जहाजमा टेक्निकल एवं रिलिफ टिम पठाउन लागिएको छ । — Buddha Air (@AirBuddha) January 2, 2026

Technical teams dispatched

Buddha Air said technical and relief teams have been dispatched from Kathmandu to assess the aircraft and support local operations. The airport was temporarily affected as authorities ensured passenger safety and secured the aircraft.

There was no immediate indication of weather issues or technical failure, and the airline has not yet disclosed what caused the runway overshoot.

Safety concerns resurface

The incident has once again put the spotlight on Nepal’s aviation safety standards, which have faced repeated scrutiny in recent years.

In July 2024, a Bombardier CRJ200LR operated by Saurya Airlines crashed shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu, killing 18 of the 19 people on board.

Earlier, in January 2023, an ATR 72 operated by Yeti Airlines crashed while landing at Pokhara, killing all 72 people on board. Investigators later said the pilot had accidentally feathered the engines just before the crash, cutting thrust at a critical moment.