GNN, KATHMANDU: A Sita Air aircraft was involved in an accident while landing at Juphal Airport in Nepal’s remote Dolpa district on Thursday morning. No casualties have been reported in the incident.

The aircraft, identified by the call sign 9N-AJE, had taken off from Nepalgunj and was attempting to land at Juphal Airport at around 8:25 am when the incident occurred, according to the District Police Office, Dolpa.

District Police Office spokesperson Police Inspector Padam Rawal said the aircraft’s rear right wheel came off during the landing. The aircraft reportedly bounced and travelled some distance along the runway after the wheel became detached.

The pilot immediately shut down the aircraft’s engine after the incident, helping to prevent a possible fire. The aircraft remained on the runway following the accident, and authorities were assessing the situation.

Police said all those on board were safe and that no human casualties or injuries had been reported. Further details regarding the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the accident were not immediately available.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the operational challenges associated with domestic aviation in Nepal, particularly at airports serving remote and mountainous areas. Nepal’s challenging terrain, weather conditions, airport infrastructure and aircraft maintenance and operational standards are among the factors that are frequently examined when investigating aviation incidents.

Authorities are expected to determine the precise cause of the accident through a technical investigation rather than drawing conclusions solely from the initial reports.