A passenger plane belonging to SpiceJet Airlines in India made an emergency landing at Bihta Air Force Base with 185 passengers after its left wing caught fire. Passengers were evacuated from the plane after the police and airport officials arrived at the scene. “On June 19, 2022, SpiceJet B737-800 aircraft was operating SG-723 (Patna-Delhi). On takeoff, during rotation, cockpit crew suspected that a bird hit on engine 1. As a precautionary measure and as per SOP, captain shutdown the affected engine and decided to return to Patna. The aircraft landed safely in Patna and passengers were safely deboarded. Post flight inspection showed bird hit with 3 fan blades damaged,” SpiceJet spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, in the video images shared on social media, flames and smoke were seen rising from the wing of the plane.