A Kathmandu-bound Buddha Air aircraft made an emergency landing at Biratnagar airport on Friday due to a technical glitch.

The 9N AJS aircraft, which took off from Jhapa’s Bhadrapur at 12:24pm, landed at Biratnagar airport after its left engine’s heat controlling system failed in the air about 24km north of Biratnagar, said Suresh Man Singh, chief of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN), Biratnagar.

There were 74 people onboard—66 adults and four children—including the crew members.

However, Buddha Air Marketing Director Rupesh Joshi said the plane made emergency landing in Biratnagar after the indicator showed the engine’s heat controlling system’s failure. “But after thorough check, it was found that there was no problem with the engine, but the indictor had certain problem,” said Joshi. He said as per the rule, plane has to be landed in nearby location during such a situation.

The plane arrived in Kathmandu later in the day carrying other passengers from Biratnagar after those from Bhadrapur boarded another Buddha Air plane, according to Joshi. The airport authority kept fire engines, ambulance and security personnel on standby after hearing the call for an emergency landing.

“The landing was safely done and all preparations had been adequately made,” Singh said. “Pilots shut the faulty engine after temperature indicator showed a glitch and landed the aircraft with one engine ruining.”

Meanwhile, all inbound and outbound flights were halted for more than two hours as gusty winds of 80-85kmph swept across Biratnagar airport. “The flights were suspended following an advice from the air traffic controller,” Singh said.