- The flight from Bengaluru to Kochi took a horrific turn just minutes into the journey
This is the terrifying moment a packed Air India plane had to make an emergency landing after its engine caught fire with 179 people on board.
Passengers on the flight from Bengaluru to Kochi on Saturday evening were shocked when part of the plane caught fire just minutes into the journey.
Miraculously, no one was injured in the incident in which a ‘full emergency’ was declared by air traffic control staff and the plane was forced to make a dramatic landing.
The fire was eventually extinguished about 20 minutes after it started, with travelers left visibly shaken after the heartbreaking episode.
Now shocking footage has emerged of the nightmarish flight, which was delayed for more than an hour on the runway before finally taking to the air.
This is the terrifying moment a packed Air India plane from Bengaluru to Kochi had to make an emergency landing on Saturday evening after its engine caught fire with 179 people on board (Photo: An orange glow seen on the wing from the plane)
Once the plane is back on the runway, passengers are told by a public address system to remain seated as the fire appears to be getting more intense
The clip, filmed from one of the passenger seats on the right side of the plane, shows an orange glow from the window as the engine on the wing catches fire.
As the plane descends to make the emergency landing, the fire continues to glow and people can be heard in the background.
Once the plane is back on the runway, passengers are told by a public address system to remain seated as the fire appears to be getting brighter.
Staff can then be heard shouting, “Sit down, everything is under control,” suggesting some customers may have lost patience and tried to reach the exit.
As the commotion grows in the background, the flames become even clearer through the window as smoke billows in all directions.
One staff member keeps shouting, “Please take a seat,” and adds, “we are waiting for instructions from the captain.”
About 179 passengers, as well as six staff members, were on the flight that left around 10:50 pm on Saturday, while the departure was scheduled for 9:45 pm. The fire was finally extinguished at 11.12pm after airport fire engines arrived on the scene
What appears to be water can then be seen splashing against the window as the fire dies down.
Later, the video, now taken from outside the plane on the runway, shows emergency services rushing towards the plane with loud shouting in the background as the commotion continues.
About 179 passengers and six staff were on the flight, which left around 10:50 pm on Saturday and was due to depart at 9:45 pm.
The fire was finally extinguished at 11.12pm after airport fire engines arrived on the scene.
It is thought stunned passengers had to alert cabin crew to the fire.
One woman said: ‘Everyone became terrified and shouted loudly.
‘[Cabin crew] exercised great responsibility. They helped us get out. Within one minute they did everything they could to save us. They have our gratitude.”
Another elderly woman revealed that as soon as they noticed the fire, there was a lot of shouting on the plane and the crew showed utmost patience to calm the passengers on board.
Later, the video, now taken from outside the plane on the runway, shows emergency services rushing towards the plane with loud shouting in the background as the commotion continues. Miraculously, no one was injured in the incident, which saw a ‘full emergency’ declared by air traffic control staff and forced the plane to make a dramatic landing.
An Air India Express spokesperson said, “Due to suspected flames from the right engine after take-off, the Bengaluru-Kochi flight opted to return and performed a precautionary landing at Bengaluru.
‘The ground services also reported flames, resulting in an evacuation. The crew carried out an evacuation without any injuries.
‘We regret any inconvenience this has caused and are working to provide alternative arrangements to ensure our guests can reach their destinations as quickly as possible.’