Dhaka: A SpiceJet flight from Delhi to Leh was forced to return to the origin today, February 24, after experiencing an engine-related problem shortly after takeoff, sources close to the airline said.
Flight SG121, operated by a Boeing 737 aircraft, had taken off from the Indian capital of Delhi for Leh in Ladakh when the crew detected a technical snag during the climb phase.
A full emergency was declared at around 06:30 local time for the Delhi-Leh service. There were approximately 150 passengers and crew members on board at the time of the incident.
Initial information indicates the issue was linked to a suspected malfunction in engine number two. Sparks and flames were reportedly observed mid-air shortly after takeoff, prompting the flight crew to initiate precautionary procedures.
The aircraft turned back within minutes of departure as a safety measure after the suspected engine failure was identified. The crew followed standard operating protocols and opted to discontinue the journey in the interest of passenger safety.
The aircraft landed safely at Delhi’s airport, and all passengers disembarked normally, according to a company spokesperson. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Further technical inspections of the aircraft are currently underway. The airline has yet to provide additional details regarding the cause of the engine malfunction.
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