On Monday, the ANI news agency reported, citing unnamed sources, that a fire broke out in a FlyDubai plane upon takeoff from Kathmandu Airport in Nepal, and that the plane was attempting to land at the airport.
"Developing: FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 (A6-FED, built 2012) on flight #FZ576 to Dubai experienced engine issues resulting in a fire clearly visible from the ground after take-off at Kathmandu Intl AL (VNKT), Nepal. After a holding pattern, the B738 now proceeds toward Delhi…" pic.twitter.com/Pc5p1kHO0B— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) April 24, 2023
Later, Reuters reported that Nepal's Civil Aviation Authority clarified that "FlyDubai flight 576 (Boeing 737-800) from Kathmandu to Dubai is proceeding normally and is on its path toward its destination as planned."
Gaganath Niyerola, a spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, stated that "a fire broke out in one of the engines of the FlyDubai plane shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu," adding that the fire was contained, and there were 167 passengers onboard.
The authority tweeted: "Conditions have now returned to normal for FlyDubai flight 576, which is en route to its destination in Dubai as per the flight schedule."
#FlyDubai plane catches fire after taking off from Nepal's #Kathmandu Airport. pic.twitter.com/dLaGentmLY— Fusa Aviation (@FusaAviation) April 24, 2023
FlyDubai clarified that "the flight will continue to Dubai and is scheduled to land there around 00:14 local time." It noted that "flight 576 from Kathmandu Airport to Dubai International Airport struck a bird upon takeoff."
