A Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft enroute from Kathmandu to Istanbul made an emergency landing at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) on Wednesday after the pilot reported a fire in the aircraft’s right engine shortly after take-off.
The flight, Turkish Airlines TK-727, carrying 236 passengers, landed safely in Kolkata at around 2.49 pm, airport authorities confirmed. All passengers and crew members are safe, and the aircraft is currently undergoing a detailed technical inspection.
According to the NSCBI Airport Director, the pilot had alerted Kolkata Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the engine fire while the aircraft was airborne, prompting emergency preparedness at the airport. Fire tenders and medical teams were placed on standby before the aircraft’s arrival.
Emergency Declared Soon After Take-Off from Kathmandu
The incident triggered an emergency at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, soon after the aircraft departed at 1.28 pm local time. Officials said the right engine caught fire within four minutes of take-off.
“At around 1.38 pm IST, the flight declared a ‘Pan-Pan’ call, an international aviation urgency signal indicating a time-critical situation that does not pose an immediate threat to life,” said Teknath Sitaula, General Manager of Tribhuvan International Airport.
Following the engine fire, the pilot shut down the affected engine and diverted the aircraft west of Kathmandu, holding it in the air for nearly 10 minutes to assess the situation. The fire was reported to be under control by 1.51 pm IST, after which the aircraft continued flying on a single engine.
Decision to Divert to Kolkata
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), the aircraft was held over the Dharke area of Dhading district while the crew evaluated whether it was safe to continue the long-haul journey to Istanbul.
“After technical checks, the crew concluded that the aircraft was not fit for a long-distance flight,” said Gyanendra Bhul, Deputy Spokesperson of CAAN. Although the aircraft had the option to return to Kathmandu or divert to Bhairahawa, the pilots chose Kolkata as a precautionary diversion, prioritizing passenger safety.
Inspection Underway, Further Details Awaited
After landing safely in Kolkata, passengers were disembarked and assisted by airline staff. Turkish Airlines and aviation authorities are conducting a thorough inspection of the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the engine fire. Further decisions regarding passenger accommodation and onward travel are expected after technical clearance.
The incident highlights the effectiveness of standard aviation safety protocols and swift coordination between international air traffic control agencies in managing in-flight emergencies.
