AN Air Bagan aircraft overran the runway last Tuesday during takeoff from Putao airport in northern Kachin State, resulting in injuries to three people onboard, said a spokesperson from the airline.

“The aircraft slipped on the runway during the takeoff of a flight from Putao to Myitkyina. Fortunately, none of our passengers were injured,” the spokesperson said, adding that the 70-seat ATR-72 aircraft was carrying 57 passengers.

It was not clear whether those injured included passengers or crew members.
China’s Xinhua news agency reported that four foreigners were among those onboard.

It said the mishap occurred around 1:30pm local time and was caused by engine failure, resulting in the aircraft overrunning the runway by about 100 metres and causing damage to the nose wheel.

Air Bagan, inaugurated in November 2004, flies between Yangon and 14 domestic destinations using one 108-seat Fokker-100 aircraft, two 70-seat ATR-72 aircraft and three 46-seat ATR-42 aircraft. The airline also offers regular international flights between Yangon and Bangkok.