Bhadrapur, Nepal — A Buddha Air ATR-72 aircraft overran the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport late Monday night, injuring seven people and reigniting global attention on the risks associated with operations at airports with reduced safety margins.
According to initial reports, the turboprop aircraft was operating a domestic flight when it failed to stop within the available runway length, exiting the paved surface during the landing roll. The co-pilot sustained head injuries and was hospitalized, while six passengers were treated for minor injuries and later discharged. No fatalities were reported.
Aviation experts caution that while the incident appears dramatic, runway overruns are a well-documented risk category in global aviation—particularly for regional operations conducted at shorter runways, during night conditions, or in potentially degraded weather.
“Runway Margins Matter”
José San Román, an internationally experienced commercial pilot specializing in performance-limited operations, emphasized that incidents like this underscore the unforgiving physics of landing performance.
“A runway overrun is not about a single mistake. it’s about margins,” San Román explained. “When you operate into a runway of approximately 1,500 meters, as is the case in Bhadrapur, there is very little tolerance for excess speed, long touchdown, tailwind, or reduced braking.”
Bhadrapur Airport, also known as Chandragadhi, serves as a regional hub in eastern Nepal. While its runway length is technically sufficient for an ATR-72, experts note that operational margins shrink rapidly when conditions are less than ideal.
The Critical Role of a Stabilized Approach
Industry data consistently shows that most runway overruns occur during the landing phase, not takeoff. According to San Román, the single most important defense against an overrun is strict adherence to stabilized approach criteria.
“If an aircraft is fast, high, or not properly configured near the runway threshold, the safest option is always a go-around,” he said. “A go-around is not a failure—it’s a professional safety decision.”
Excess approach speed, delayed touchdown, and late configuration can dramatically increase stopping distance. Even a few extra knots translate into significantly more kinetic energy that must be absorbed by braking systems and reverse thrust.
ATR-72 Performance and Deceleration
The ATR-72 relies on a combination of wheel braking, aerodynamic drag, and propeller reverse to decelerate after landing. Reverse thrust is particularly effective early in the rollout, while brakes become more effective as speed decreases—provided runway friction is adequate.
“On a wet or contaminated runway, braking effectiveness can degrade quickly,” San Román noted. “If touchdown occurs long or fast, the crew may simply run out of runway before the aircraft can safely stop.”
Human Factors and Decision-Making
Aviation investigations worldwide show that human factors—rather than mechanical failure—are the dominant contributors to runway overruns. Crew Resource Management (CRM), assertive communication, and timely decision-making are critical.
“The last safe exit from many accidents was a go-around that didn’t happen,” San Román said. “Healthy safety cultures encourage crews to discontinue approaches early, without hesitation or fear of repercussion.”
Why Most Passengers Survived with Minor Injuries
Despite the severity of the event, the majority of passengers escaped with minor injuries. Experts attribute this to modern aircraft design, energy-absorbing seats, effective restraint systems, and trained cabin crew response.
“Transport-category aircraft are designed to protect occupants during high-deceleration events,” San Román explained. “When the airframe remains largely intact and there is no fire, survivability is very high.”
Investigation Underway
Nepalese aviation authorities have launched a formal investigation in accordance with international ICAO standards. Investigators will analyze flight data, cockpit voice recordings, weather conditions, runway reports, landing performance calculations, and crew procedures.
San Román cautions against early conclusions:
“The most responsible position right now is to acknowledge what is known—an ATR-72 experienced a runway overrun during landing—and allow investigators to do their work. Speculation helps no one.”
A Broader Safety Message
While aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, incidents like this serve as reminders that discipline is non-negotiable, especially at airports with reduced margins.
“When runway margins are limited, discipline is safety,” San Román concluded. “Stable approach compliance, accurate performance planning, and early go-around decisions save lives.”
As the investigation continues, the industry will be watching closely, not to assign blame, but to extract lessons that prevent the next runway excursion.
Preliminary findings indicate that weather conditions, landing configuration, and runway performance calculations are now central to the inquiry. Authorities have confirmed that flight data and cockpit voice recorders were successfully recovered and are being analyzed to determine whether approach stabilization criteria were met and if a go-around was considered.
While no mechanical failure has been identified at this stage, investigators are focusing on operational decision-making during the final phase of flight. Officials stress that final conclusions will only be issued once the full technical analysis is completed in accordance with international aviation safety standards.
