Aircraft Grounded, Detailed Probe To Be Conducted, Says DGCA After Indigo Flight Catches Fire During Takeoff

A full emergency was declared at the Delhi airport after sparks were reported in the IndiGo aircraft operating flight 6E-2131 (Delhi-Bangalore).

The Indigo plane had 177 passengers and seven crew members.

Source : Video Screenshots: Twitter/@rose_k01

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday stated that a detailed investigation will be conducted into the incident wherein a Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight was grounded in Delhi due to suspected sparks in the aircraft.

On Friday, a full emergency was declared at IGI airport after sparks were reported in the aircraft, news agency ANI reported.

A Twitter user posted a video and wrote, "Indigo 6E 2131. Scary experience on Delhi runway! This was supposed to be a take off video but this happened."

The video was circulated widely on social media.

SCARY Visuals of IndiGo flight 6E-2131 Delhi to Bangalore - Sparks /Blaze were noticed ibelow the wings of the aircraft at take off. Flight was grounded at Delhi airport as Pilot aborted the flight. All passengers ARE SAFE! #Indigo pic.twitter.com/9AHwLbh7ke

— Rosy (@rose_k01) October 28, 2022

Taking cognisance of the incident DGCA stated, "On Oct 28 IndiGo A320-Ceo aircraft VT-IFM operating flight 6E-2131 (Delhi-Bengaluru) was involved in reject takeoff as Engine 2 Fail warning came. A loud bang was heard. The fire extinguisher bottle was discharged. The aircraft returned to bay. It has been grounded for inspection." 

"A detailed investigation will be carried out by DGCA to ascertain the cause and suitable follow-up action shall be taken," the DGCA added, as reported by ANI.

A statement issued by IndiGo on Friday mentioned that an aircraft operating flight 6E-2131 (Delhi-Bangalore) experienced a technical issue while on take-off roll, "immediately after which the pilot aborted the takeoff and aircraft returned to the bay. All passengers and crew are safe and an alternate aircraft is being arranged."

According to news agency PTI, the incident took place at around 10 pm.

Delhi police officials said that the control room at the airport received a call from the CISF control room regarding a fire in the engine of the IndiGo plane. The plane had 177 passengers and seven crew members. Later, passengers were safely deboarded, PTI quoted them as informing.

According to PTI sources, the pilot of a SpiceJet plane that was behind the IndiGo aircraft in the lineup while taxiing alerted the Air Traffic Controller about the fire in the engine.

(With Agency Inputs)