Engine Fire Halts IndiGo Flight at Ahmedabad Airport, All 60 Passengers Rescued Safely

National News: A serious incident was narrowly avoided on Tuesday morning at Ahmedabad airport when an IndiGo flight scheduled for Diu experienced an engine fire moments before takeoff. Thanks to the pilot’s immediate action, all 60 passengers on board were evacuated without harm.

The event unfolded at around 11 AM, as an ATR-76 aircraft operated by IndiGo was preparing for departure. Shortly after receiving clearance from air traffic control, and as the plane began moving on the runway, smoke and sparks emerged from one of the engines. Recognizing the danger, the pilot issued a mayday alert and halted the takeoff process on an urgent basis.

Emergency Protocol Ensures Safe Evacuation

Following the emergency call, airport personnel responded swiftly, ensuring that all passengers were safely removed from the aircraft. Authorities confirmed that no one was injured, and the aircraft was towed back to the hangar for inspection and further technical evaluation.

IndiGo Clarifies: Technical Issue Triggered Response

A spokesperson from IndiGo later issued a statement explaining that a technical malfunction was detected before the flight could take off. “As part of our safety procedures, the flight was stopped immediately, and all operations were carried out in accordance with standard protocols,” the spokesperson noted.

Flight Cancelled; Passengers Offered Refund or Alternative

The airline confirmed that the flight had been canceled for safety reasons. Affected travelers were given the option to either board an alternative flight or receive a full refund. IndiGo also provided refreshments and assistance to passengers while arrangements were made.

Similar Incidents Raise Maintenance Concerns

This occurrence comes just a day after a technical fault affected another IndiGo aircraft flying from Goa to Indore, which managed a safe landing despite the issue. Two such incidents in quick succession have led to increased scrutiny of the airline’s maintenance and safety practices.

DGCA May Launch Formal Probe

Given the serious nature of an in-flight engine fire, aviation regulators, particularly the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), may initiate a detailed investigation to determine the root cause and ensure preventive measures are in place.

Quick Action Averts Disaster, But Safety Under Review

Thanks to the decisive actions of the flight crew and ground teams, a potential aviation disaster was avoided. However, the recurrence of technical issues has sparked concern about the reliability of aircraft systems, prompting calls for stricter safety checks and oversight in future operations.