Patna-bound Go First flight makes emergency landing at city airport

 

 

 

A Patna-bound Go First flight that took off from Bengaluru had to make an emergency landing at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport on Saturday morning as the aircraft developed a technical snag. Go First flight G8 873 took off from Bengaluru with 139 passengers on board. Around 10.45 am, the pilot sensed some problem in the engine. He contacted Nagpur’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) and informed it about the situation. The ATC allowed the aircraft to land at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. Meanwhile, MIHAN India Limited (MIL) that takes care of the airport also took necessary steps. The Airport Director of MIL Abid Ruhi swung into action and kept the ground staff ready. He also alerted the airport’s emergency services. Since the pilot had sensed some fire in the engine, Ruhi got in touch with Rajendra Uchke, Chief Fire Officer of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).

 

“The flight landed at around 11.15 am and we found the situation is not that bad as everybody thought of. The aircraft made a safe landing. There was some glitch in the engine and the aircraft will be repaired accordingly. Till then all the arrangements were made at the airport. Our technical team checked everything,” stated Abid Ruhi. Abid Ruhi took all steps like making available runways, calling fire tenders, doctors, ambulances and informed police too. Sonegaon police reached in time. When contacted, Rajendra Uchke said, “We got a call from airport and we dispatched two fire tenders to the airport. Fortunately, nothing happened but such precautions were very much necessary.”

 

The Go First officially released a statement stating, “Go First flight G8 873 from Bengaluru to Patna was diverted to Nagpur due to a faulty engine warning in the cockpit which necessitated the captain to shut down the engine as a precautionary measure. Thereafter, the captain followed the standard operating procedures and landed the aircraft safely at Nagpur airport. All passengers have been deplaned and served refreshments. Go First has taken outmost care and rendered all the requisite assistance to the passengers. Alternate aircraft has been arranged to accommodate the passengers which will depart for Patna on Saturday itself. The aircraft is being inspected by the engineering team. At Go First, safety of its passengers and crew is of paramount importance and the airline sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused to the passengers.”