A Swiss Air flight bound for Zurich faced a major emergency at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport early Sunday when one of its engines failed and caught fire during takeoff.
The Airbus A330-300, operating as flight LX147, carried 232 passengers and crew. The incident occurred at 1:08 am on Runway 28 when engine number one malfunctioned, forcing the crew to abort takeoff.
Smoke rose from the aircraft as the landing gear failed, prompting an immediate evacuation. Passengers exited through emergency slides, while stairs were provided for those unable to use the slides. Six passengers sustained injuries during the evacuation and were hospitalised.
Flight tracking data revealed the aircraft had reached a speed of 104 knots before the crew rejected takeoff. The aircraft, registered as HB-JHK, remained grounded as authorities launched an investigation.
In a statement, SWISS confirmed the crew’s quick response prevented a larger disaster. “All passengers and crew evacuated safely. Six passengers are undergoing medical evaluation,” the airline said.
The incident triggered panic among passengers but highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness. Airport officials coordinated with fire and rescue teams to secure the aircraft and assist the injured.
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