Delhi Bound SpiceJet Flight Catches Fire, Returns To Patna Airport. All Passengers Safe

According to reports, a SpiceJet aircraft caught fire mid-flight and made an emergency landing at the Patna airport in Bihar on Sunday.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: SpiceJet Airlines' plane caught fire mid-flight and made an emergency landing in Patna, Bihar, according to sources on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.

A SpiceJet flight heading for Delhi took off from Patna airport but was forced to return to the airport when its engine caught fire mid-flight, as per the reports.

According to ANI, the fire was triggered by a technical malfunction in the aircraft. The jet landed safely, and all passengers are unharmed.

#WATCH Delhi bound SpiceJet flight returns to Patna airport after reporting technical glitch which prompted fire in the aircraft; All passengers safely rescued pic.twitter.com/Vvsvq5yeVJ

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2022

According to airport officials, the aeroplane with 185 people on board was subsequently returned to Patna airport. There have been no recorded injuries or fatalities.

"The Delhi-bound flight had returned to Patna airport after locals noticed a fire in the aircraft & informed district & airport officials. All 185 passengers safely deboarded. Reason is technical glitch, engineering team analysing further," Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh was quoted as saying by ANI on its official Twitter handle. 

Bihar | The Delhi-bound flight had returned to Patna airport after locals noticed a fire in the aircraft & informed district & airport officials. All 185 passengers safely deboarded. Reason is technical glitch, engineering team analysing further...: Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh pic.twitter.com/KLK5wgZA0h

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2022

According to DGCA officials, this was a bird strike, which frequently results in an engine fire. According to the pilots, they safely landed after shutting down the engine.

According to SpiceJet Spox, after takeoff, the cockpit crew of a SpiceJet aircraft from Patna to Delhi detected a bird strike on engine no. 1. As a precaution, the aircraft captain switched off the problematic engine and returned to Patna. A post-flight check reveals that the bird was struck and three of its fan blades were damaged.

"An alternate flight is being arranged by SpiceJet airlines. This incident is a matter of investigation," Patna Airport Director said. 

(With Inputs From ANI)