A Nepal Airlines Airbus A330 bound for Kuala Lumpur with 244 passengers and 12 crew members aboard was forced to make an emergency landing at Tribhuvan International Airport this afternoon after the crew detected a critical malfunction in the left engine approximately 15 minutes after departure. The pilot declared a Mayday and was given immediate priority clearance by Kathmandu air traffic control to return to the airport. Emergency vehicles, fire engines, and ambulances were positioned along the runway as the aircraft approached for landing.

The aircraft touched down safely at 1:23 PM on Runway 02, with emergency crews immediately surrounding the plane. All 244 passengers and crew were evacuated through emergency slides within eight minutes of landing. Airport authorities confirmed that three passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and were treated at the airport medical facility. No fire or smoke was reported from the engine, but the aircraft has been grounded pending a thorough technical investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

Eyewitnesses near the airport reported hearing unusual engine sounds and seeing the aircraft flying at unusually low altitude as it circled back toward the runway. Passengers who spoke to media after disembarking described moments of panic when the captain announced the emergency, with oxygen masks deploying in the cabin. One passenger recounted that the aircraft experienced severe vibrations before the captain's announcement, causing luggage to fall from overhead compartments.

Nepal Airlines has issued a statement praising the crew's professionalism and confirming that all affected passengers will be accommodated on alternative flights within 24 hours. The Civil Aviation Authority has ordered an immediate inspection of the airline's entire A330 fleet, which consists of two aircraft. Aviation safety experts have called for a transparent investigation, noting that this is the third significant safety incident involving Nepal Airlines in the past 18 months. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had previously flagged concerns about maintenance standards at Nepal's national carrier.