SpiceJet Plane Makes Emergency Landing At Hyderabad Airport; DGCA Orders Probe
A SpiceJet plane made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport on Wednesday night after smoke was observed in the cabin.
An aircraft, operated by SpiceJet Ltd., made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport on Wednesday night after smoke was observed in the cabin, prompting the aviation regulator to launch a probe.
The plane, which was coming from Goa, landed safely and passengers disembarked through the emergency exit, according to officials.
One passenger sustained minor scratches on the feet while disembarking the aircraft, a DGCA official said.
An official of Hyderabad airport said there were 86 passengers onboard the Q400 aircraft VT-SQB. Due to the emergency landing, as many as nine flights were diverted on Wednesday night after the incident, at around 11 p.m., the official added.
SpiceJet has been battling operational and financial headwinds in recent times, that landed the airline under enhanced surveillance of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The regulator had also directed the airline to operate only 50% of its total flights till Oct. 29.
On Thursday, the DGCA official said the regulator is probing the incident.
"SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Goa to Hyderabad landed safely at its destination on October 12 after smoke was observed in the cabin during descent. Passengers were safely disembarked," an airline spokesperson said.
According to the DGCA official, the plane made an emergency landing due to smoke observed in the cockpit.
On July 27, DGCA directed SpiceJet to operate a maximum of 50% of its flights, which were approved in the summer schedule for a period of eight weeks.
Last month, the restrictions were extended till Oct. 29.