Smoke alarm grounds Aviation Minister’s flight to Mumbai

New Delhi: A Mumbai-bound Kingfisher flight with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and 90 other passengers on board had to make an emergency landing at the Delhi airport on Friday afternoon after its pilot got a smoke alarm.
“Jet exhaust leaked into the AC ducts of the flight, though there was no smoke in the cabin. It was detected by the crew on taking off and the flight was returned to Delhi,” the Civil Aviation Ministry said in an official statement.
Director General of Civil Aviation Kanu Gohain said the matter would be investigated. “We have to see whether the pilot had followed all procedures correctly,” Gohain told Newsline.
The flight, IT 310, took off from Delhi at 3 pm for Mumbai. Within five minutes of being airborne, the smoke signal reportedly went off in the plane. The pilot informed the ATC, and the ground staff at the Delhi airport was readied for an emergency landing.
The entire airport went on high alert. Fire tenders, the quick rescue team, a medical unit and CISF officers were all standing near the tarmac to deal with any exigency. Hospitals in the city had been informed to stay prepared for emergency cases. Teams of the Delhi Police were also kept waiting outside the airport. The aircraft, however, landed safely at the Delhi airport within 15 minutes.
12/04/08 Expressindia.com

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Categories: Kingfisher Apr 2008, Safety Apr 2008