Close Shave for 198 Jet Passengers

Authorities at Mumbai's international airport and relatives of passengers heaved a collective sigh of relief when a Jet Airways Airbus A-340-300E made a safe landing on Sunday, despite mid-air engine failure.

Flight number W9-117 (London-Mumbai) was coming towards the city when the pilot contacted air traffic control at 11.35 am, saying one of the plane's four engines had failed and asking for a priority landing. Immediately, emergency services including doctors, ambulances, the fire brigade and local police were summoned to assist Central Industrial Security Force personnel and the in-house fire department.

"The craft made a smooth landing at 12.22 pm, powered by the remaining three en gines," said a Jet Airways employee. All 198 passengers, including four infants, exited the plane safely.

However, the return flight - W9-118 (Mumbai-London) - was cancelled as the aircraft was grounded for repairs and a follow-up inquiry.

"Outbound passengers have been booked on other airlines," a Jet spokesperson said.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Director (Air Safety) P. Shaw added: "The engine has been removed for inspection. We have also instituted an inquiry into the incident, but there was no cause for panic as three engines are sufficient for a safe landing." The priority landing, however, heightened tension at the airport, which has been on red alert since a terror plot involving trans-Atlantic flights from the UK to the US was foiled on Friday.

The Hindustan Times is provided through HT Syndication, New Delhi.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.