1 fatality

Airplane Overruns Runway at Kathmandu Airport, One Killed, Four Injured (HS-TGU)

Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, NepalLanding (descent or approach)

On May 10, 1973, a Douglas DC-8 (registration HS-TGU) operated by Thai Airways International was involved in an aviation accident near Kathmandu-Tribhuvan, Nepal during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration on part of the pilot-in-command who landed too far down the runway, causing the braking distance to be insufficient. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine airplane overran the runway at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport after landing too far down, coming to rest in a dump. One person on the ground was killed, four passengers were injured, and the aircraft was written off.

Accident Overview

On landing at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport, a four-engine airplane was unable to stop within the remaining runway distance. The aircraft overran the runway, lost its undercarriage and one engine, and came to rest in a dump. One person on the ground was killed, and four passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft was written off.

Accident Details

The incident occurred after touchdown at Tribhuvan Airport. The airplane, equipped with four engines, overran the runway and sustained significant structural damage, including the loss of its landing gear and one engine. The wreckage came to rest in a dump area adjacent to the airport. Emergency services responded, and the injured passengers were transported for medical treatment.

Investigation and Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be a wrong approach configuration on the part of the pilot-in-command, who landed too far down the runway, causing the braking distance to be insufficient.