A Delhi-bound SpiceJet aircraft, carrying 185 passengers, made an emergency touchdown in Patna right after take-off as its left engine had caught fireplace following a chook hit, officers have said. Videos shot by way of locals on the floor show sparks coming out from the left engine.
All passengers have been safely evacuated and there has been no document of any injury, officers said.
Sources at the aviation regulator DGCA have told media that the pilots suspected there used to be a chook hit during the take-off. However, the plane persisted to climb out due to the fact they did not study any abnormality.
“The chook hit was once directly into the engine. Three fan blades had been damaged. It resulted in smoke and flames. But there used to be no indication in the cockpit,” Capt Gurcharan Arora, chief of flight operations at SpiceJet, informed media.
Subsequently, the pilots shut down the engine as per the process and requested an emergency landing.
The director of Patna airport stated that SpiceJet has arranged an alternate flight for the passengers.
