Alliance Air Flight Takes Off From Mumbai Airport Without Engine Cover, DGCA Orders Probe

Alliance Air flight on Wednesday took off from the Mumbai airport without its engine cover that fell off on the runway.

Alliance Air flight takes off without engine cover| Photo: ANI

New Delhi: In a bizarre and horrifying incident, an Alliance Air flight on Wednesday took off from the Mumbai airport without its engine cover which fell off on the runway.

"Alliance Air was scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Bhuj, while the aircraft's engine cowl fell on the runway and took off without an engine cover," new agency ANI quoted a source at Mumbai airport.

However, the plane with 70 people on board managed to land safely at Bhuj airport in Gujarat but an investigation has been launched into the incident by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Soon after the flight took off from Mumbai, the Air traffic controller (ATC) spotted the trouble and sounded an alert. 

"It was reported by Mumbai ATC that Engine Cowling has been found on runway side after takeoff. It appeared to be from ATR aircraft VT-RKJ at BOM which was operating 91-625(BOM-BHJ). The aircraft is still in continuation of flight," said a Mumbai airport official to ANI. 

Captain Amit Singh, an aviation expert, while speaking to ANI blamed poor maintenance work for the incident. "Incidents of cowl separation usually occur post maintenance activity if latches are not secured. The crew is also expected to ensure that the engine cowl is sited before commencing the flight," he said.