IndiGo IndiGo plane's engine catches fire on runway ahead of take-off at Delhi Airport; passengers safe
An IndiGo plane with 184 people, including crew members, was grounded late Friday night, as sparks appeared in its engine just before take-off at Delhi airport, according to a passenger, who recorded the incident, said media reports.
The plane was running at full speed and would have taken off in another 5 to 7 seconds when Priyanka Kumar, a communications professional, saw sparks coming out which suddenly turned into flames, she told NDTV.
Indigo 6E 2131
— Priyanka Kumar (@PriyankaaKumarr) October 28, 2022
Scary experience on Delhi runway!
This was supposed to be a take off video but this happened. #indigo pic.twitter.com/6kcKCSVLOh
The pilot applied brakes and the plane, still on the runway, was brought to halt, she said.
"Everyone is safe and being evacuated," she said around 11 pm, according to the NDTV report.
The passengers were taken out of the aircraft after about one and a half hours of the fire.
She said she did not know why they were asked to stay inside the plane after it was taken to a parking bay.
The fire was extinguished immediately, she said, adding that there was no sudden jerk even as the plane was stopped.
"The pilot told us it was an engine malfunction," said Priyanka from the spot, NDTV reported.
There were 184 people onboard — 177 passengers and seven crew.
The alternate flight took off around midnight.
Priyanka recorded the video from her seat and shared it on social media.
"The plane got onto the runway around 9.40 pm, and the fire started just when it had gained full speed, at just about 9.45 pm," she said, giving a rough timeline of the incident, according to NDTV.
Extinguishers were used and a fire brigade came in too, immediately, she said. "The crew gave water to the passengers. There were a lot of elderly people, a lot of children on the plane."
"The plane was taken to a parking bay, they told us. We got off using the normal way by stairs — one by one," she added. This was just after 11 pm, when she said she had just come out, as had the others.
The airline issued a statement: "An aircraft operating flight 6E2131 from Delhi to Bangalore experienced a technical issue while on take off roll, immediately after which the pilot aborted the take off and the aircraft returned to the bay."
"All passengers and crew are safe and an alternate aircraft is being arranged to operate the flight. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers," it added.
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