Buddha Air Flight Disrupted After Passenger Opens Emergency Door at Biratnagar

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Biratnagar,Nepal : A Buddha Air ATR flight bound for Janakpur was disrupted when a passenger opened the emergency exit door while the plane was taxiing at Biratnagar Airport. 

According to Buddha Air's spokesperson, Dipendra Karn, the flight had originally departed from Kathmandu for Janakpur but was diverted to Biratnagar due to poor weather conditions. Once the weather improved in Janakpur and the aircraft was preparing for takeoff from Biratnagar, passenger Pankaj Bikram Shah, seated near the emergency exit, opened the door as the plane was about to enter the runway from the taxiway.

Following the incident, the crew immediately returned the plane to the parking bay for a technical inspection. Buddha Air reported that this is the third such incident in recent months where passengers have opened emergency doors on flights.

Similar incidents occurred on October 2nd during a flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu and on October 7th on a Nepalgunj-Kathmandu flight, both of which also disrupted flight schedules.

Buddha Air stated that these actions have caused significant delays and disruptions to their flight operations. On the day of this latest incident, the plane had been diverted to Biratnagar due to unfavorable weather conditions in Janakpur.

Despite detailed pre-flight briefings by the flight attendants, informing passengers about the use of emergency exits, these doors are meant to be opened only during emergencies. Opening them in non-emergency situations compromises the safety of the flight. Buddha Air has handed over such passengers to airport security for further investigation.

According to the Civil Aviation Act of 2015, any individual who disrupts flight safety can face imprisonment ranging from one to three years, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, depending on the severity of the incident. In addition to legal consequences, airlines may impose further flight bans on passengers who cause such disruptions.

Bhimdatt Pant, the chief of Janakpur Airport, stated that an investigation is underway to assess the psychological state of the passenger involved in this incident.

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