18 dead in plane crash

A Saurya Airlines test flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, on July 24, resulting in the deaths of 18 people, including one foreigner, while the pilot was the sole survivor. The aircraft, carrying two crew members and 17 staff members, was en route to Pokhara for maintenance checks when it veered off the runway, caught fire, and fell into a ditch. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane flipped after its wing-tip struck the ground, causing it to plunge into a gorge. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal indicated that the crash might have resulted from a 'climb failure,' potentially linked to engine issues or faulty pre-flight planning. Nepal has a notorious aviation safety record, exacerbated by its challenging terrain and inadequate regulatory oversight. The pilot is currently hospitalized with injuries but is not in critical condition.