the goan I network
VASCO
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral and a team of senior officials, who were among passengers and crew to have had a lucky escape when one engine of the New Delhi-bound IndiGo plane caught fire midair on Sunday night, said there was panic in the plane after many passengers saw sparks from the engine.
Recounting his harrowing experience on board the IndiGo flight to Delhi, Cabral said the flight had left Dabolim airport on time.
“After flying for around 25 minutes, the plane developed a technical snag and there was a huge sound from below. We were seated in front and did not realise the nature of the sound. However, passengers seated behind started screaming that there was a fire in one of the engines.”
“There was chaos and panic inside the plane as many passengers saw sparks from the engine. We also saw sparks in one engine. Air hostesses then began running into the pilot’s cabin and alerted the pilots,” said Cabral.
“The situation in the plane was harrowing and many people were distraught and began crying,” said Cabral.
The minister said the pilots detected the snag and switched off the engine.
“The pilot then announced that they would fly back to Goa and we were back at Dabolim airport within the next 25 minutes on a single engine. They had made an emergency landing at Dabolim airport and all passengers and crew were safe and sound,” Cabral added.
