A plane carrying 167 passengers to Dubai caught fire after being ‘hit by a bird during take-off’ it has been claimed.

The Boeing 737-800 plane set off from Kathamandu and was heading to the international airport in Dubai when one of the engines burst into flames.

It is said to have been brought under control shortly after take-off.

Footage online showed flames erupting from one of the engines twice, while another showed the loud aircraft gliding through the sky temporarily on fire.

The plane could be seen on fire from (Picture: @SUBASTHEONE via REUTERS)

Jagannath Niroula, a spokesman for Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said that an engine caught fire on the Flydubai plane shortly after take-off from Kathmandu.

Another video showed the plane appearing to burst into flames twice, but ‘after following standard procedure’, the pilots continued with their journey as planned to Dubai.

Initially, it was understood that pilots were attempting to return to Kathmandu Airport where fire engines were waiting.

However, FlyDubai said that Flight FZ 576 arrived at Dubai International just after midnight local time despite suffering a bird strike during take-off.

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A spokesman for the airline said: ‘Flydubai flight FZ 576 on 24 April 2023 from Kathmandu Airport (KTM) has safely landed in Dubai International (DXB) at 00:11 local time after experiencing a bird strike during take-off from Kathmandu.

‘Our experienced flight crew followed standard operating procedure and continued the onward journey after determining that the engine was within normal operating parameters.

‘The aircraft landed normally in Dubai and further inspection will be conducted. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers travel schedule.’

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority said: ‘Flydubai flight number 576, (Boeing 737-800) Kathmandu to Dubai flight is normal now and proceeding to her destination Dubai as per the flight plan.’

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The Boeing 737-800 plane set off from Kathamandu and was heading to the international airport in Dubai when one of the engines burst into flames.