Nepal
Nepal's Kathmandu District Court has ruled that US-Bangla Airlines is subject to unlimited liability for the 2018 crash at Tribhuvan International Airport, marking a significant precedent in the country's aviation history. The court determined that the airline's flight crew's negligence stripped the carrier of liability limits, ordering substantial compensation to the victims' families.
On March 12, 2018, a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Dhaka to Kathmandu veered off course during landing, resulting in a catastrophic crash that claimed 51 lives out of the 71 people on board. The victims included 22 Nepalis, 28 Bangladeshis, and one Chinese national. This incident remains the deadliest aviation disaster involving a Bangladeshi airline and the most fatal crash involving a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.
The court's ruling, issued by Judge Diwakar Bhatta on July 20, 2025, came in response to a case filed by the families of 16 deceased passengers and one survivor. The full text of the verdict was made public on January 20, 2026. The court found that the crash resulted from negligent and reckless actions by the pilot and flight officer, thereby invoking Article 25 of the Warsaw Convention, which allows for unlimited liability in cases of willful misconduct.
This landmark decision sets a precedent for holding airlines accountable beyond internationally prescribed liability limits when negligence is proven. It underscores the importance of stringent adherence to safety protocols and the potential legal consequences of lapses in duty by flight crews. The ruling is expected to influence future aviation liability cases and may prompt airlines to reassess their operational and safety standards to mitigate risks and potential liabilities.
