- The flight from Bengaluru to Kochi took a terrifying turn just a few minutes into the journey.
This is the terrifying moment an overcrowded Air India plane was forced to make an emergency landing after its engine burst into flames with 179 people on board.
Passengers on the flight from Bengaluru to Kochi on Saturday night were left horrified after part of the plane caught fire just minutes into the journey.
Miraculously, no one was injured in the incident in which traffic control staff declared a “total emergency” and the plane was forced to make a dramatic landing.
The fire was finally extinguished about 20 minutes after it started and travelers were left visibly shaken after the heart-stopping episode.
Shocking images have now emerged of the nightmare flight, which had already been delayed on the runway for more than an hour before it finally took off.
This is the terrifying moment a packed Air India plane flying from Bengaluru to Kochi on Saturday night was forced to make an emergency landing after its engine burst into flames with 179 people on board (pictured : An orange glow is visible on the wing from inside the plane).
Once the plane returns to the runway, a public address system tells passengers to remain seated as the fire appears to get brighter.
The clip, filmed from one of the passenger seats on the right side of the plane, shows an orange glow through the window as the wing engine catches fire.
As the plane descends to make the emergency landing, the fire continues to glow and people can be heard murmuring in the background.
Once the plane returns to the runway, a public address system tells passengers to remain seated as the fire appears to get brighter.
Staff can then be heard shouting: “Please take a seat, everything is under control”, suggesting that some customers have lost patience and tried to head for the exits.
As the commotion increases in the background, the flames can be seen even more clearly through the window as smoke rises in all directions.
A staff member continues shouting “please take a seat” and adds “we are waiting for the captain’s instructions.”
Around 179 passengers, as well as six staff members, were on the flight which took off around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday and was scheduled to take off at 9:45 p.m. The fire was finally extinguished at 11:12 p.m. after airport firefighters responded to the scene.
You can then see what looks like water splashing against the window as the fire goes out.
Later, the video, now taken from outside the plane on the tarmac, shows emergency services rushing towards the plane with lots of screaming in the background as the commotion continues.
Around 179 passengers, as well as six staff members, were on the flight which took off around 10:50 p.m. on Saturday and was scheduled to take off at 9:45 p.m.
The fire was finally extinguished at 11:12 p.m. after airport fire trucks responded to the scene.
It is believed that the stunned passengers had to report the fire to the cabin crew.
One woman said: ‘Everyone was terrified and screamed loudly.
‘(The cabin crew) exercised great responsibility. They helped us get out. In a single minute, they did everything they could to save us. You have our gratitude.”
Another elderly woman revealed that as soon as they noticed the fire, there was a lot of screaming inside the plane and the crew showed a lot of patience in calming the passengers on board.
Later, the video, now taken from outside the plane on the tarmac, shows emergency services rushing towards the plane with lots of screaming in the background as the commotion continues. Miraculously, no one was injured in the incident, in which traffic control personnel declared a “total emergency” and the plane was forced to make a spectacular landing.
An Air India Express spokesperson said, “Due to suspected flames in the right engine after take-off, the Bengaluru-Kochi flight decided to turn back and made a precautionary landing at Bengaluru.
‘Ground services also reported flames, prompting an evacuation. The crew carried out an evacuation without any guests being injured.
“We regret the inconvenience this has caused and are working to offer alternative arrangements to get our guests to their destination as quickly as possible.”
