A Kathmandu-bound aircraft of Buddha Air made an emergency landing at Biratnagar airport on Friday after facing technical glitches in its engine. There were a total of 74 people including the crew members on board the flight.

The aircraft that took off from Chandragadi, Jhapa, at 12:24 landed at Biratnagar airport after its left engine’s heat controlling system failed, while flying at 85,000 feet above and 24 km north of Biratnagar airport, said Chief of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Biratnagar, Suresh Man Singh.

The passengers were frightened following the sudden landing. Upon learning the news of emergency land of the plane, the airport authority had kept all necessary apparatus such as fire engines, and ambulances on standby. “But the plane landed safely,” said Singh. 

The passengers are still in Biratnagar and an exact reason behind the glitch would be known only after the technical team of Buddha Air arrives and look into the problems.

Meanwhile, all inbound and outbound flights have been cancelled at Biratnagar airport after a power storm swept across the southern town. “The flights have been suspended according to the advice of air traffic controller after a storm of around 80-85 km/per hour started blowing,” said Singh.