Full emergency at Chennai airport after IndiGo flight develops engine snag

CHENNAI: A Chennai-bound IndiGo flight from Kolkata with 229 people on board developed an engine problem and an oil leak while approaching Chennai airport late on Tuesday night.

Pilot alerts airport control room

The flight with 222 passengers and seven crew members was nearing Chennai at around 11.30 pm when a technical engine issue and oil leak were reported in the left-side engine. The pilot, sensing that a normal landing could pose a risk, immediately alerted the Chennai airport air traffic control. Following the alert, an emergency was declared on the runway. Fire tenders, medical teams, security personnel and other emergency response teams were positioned as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the aircraft continued to circle over the airport without landing until all safety arrangements were completed. After receiving clearance, the pilot safely landed the aircraft at the Chennai airport at around 11.37 pm. All 229 people on board safely disembarked from the aircraft.

Aircraft declared unairworthy

Following the landing, a team of aircraft engineers inspected the plane and began efforts to rectify the technical problem. However, the aircraft was found to be unfit for immediate further operation. Around midnight, the aircraft was officially declared non-operational and was moved to a remote parking bay at the airport.

DGCA orders probe

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), based in Delhi, has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the engine malfunction and oil leak.