KATHMANDU: A Sita Airlines aircraft, which was flying to Lukla from Kathmandu with 12 foreigners on board, was forced to make an emergency landing at Phaplu Airport due to bad weather on Sunday morning.

The 9NHR aircraft sustained some damage in one of its wings after it collided a wall at the airport while landing at around 8 am, the Rastriya Samachar Samiti reported.

All 17 people, including three crew members, on board the aircraft are said to be safe.

Hundreds of foreigners fly to Lukla, also called gateway to Mt Everest, everyday as this is the season for trekking in the Everest region.