Plane Carrying 16 Suffers Wheel Detachment During Nepal Runway Mishap

DOLPA, Nepal — A potential aviation disaster was narrowly averted on Thursday morning, September 24, 2026 when a domestic passenger aircraft lost its rear right wheel while touching down at a remote mountain airport in western Nepal, leaving all 16 people on board unharmed.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. local time as a Sita Air flight, carrying 13 passengers and three crew members, was landing at Juphal Airport in Nepal’s mountainous Dolpa district. The flight had originated from Nepalgunj.

According to local police and aviation officials, the aircraft's rear right tire came completely off during touchdown on the high-altitude airstrip. Quick action by the pilot, who immediately shut down the engines upon detecting the mechanical failure, prevented the plane from veering off course or causing severe structural damage.

"The small aircraft met with an accident right on the runway after its rear right tire came off," said Anil Raj Giri, Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office in Dolpa. "All passengers and crew are safe, and no injuries have been reported."

The passenger manifest included seven foreign nationals and six Nepali citizens, comprising 11 men and two women. Passengers were safely evacuated from the stranded aircraft shortly after the emergency halt.

While no injuries were reported, the disabled aircraft grounded on the active runway brought operations at Juphal Airport to a complete standstill. Incoming flights—including a Nepali Army transport plane—were forced to divert or turn back as authorities worked to clear the tarmac.

Aviation technicians and repair personnel are being flown in via helicopter to inspect the damaged landing gear and assist in moving the aircraft to reopen the runway. Air safety authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the wheel detachment.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of operating in Nepal's rugged terrain, where short, high-altitude runways leave little margin for mechanical error. Civil aviation authorities emphasized that routine maintenance protocols and rigorous safety checks across all regional air carriers will be thoroughly reviewed as part of the ongoing probe to prevent similar mishaps in the future.