Smoke Scare Forces Private Jet to Abort Takeoff at Kolkata Airport
In a tense moment at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport on Monday morning, a private jet carrying six passengers was forced to return to the taxi bay after smoke was observed billowing from one of its engines.
The incident occurred just as the aircraft was taxiing toward the runway for takeoff, creating a brief period of alarm among airport authorities and passengers alike.
Quick Response Averts Potential Crisis
The potentially dangerous situation was first noticed by the pilot of another aircraft who spotted smoke emanating from the private jet's engine. The alert pilot immediately notified the Air Traffic Control (ATC), which promptly instructed the private jet to halt its movement and return to the taxi bay.
Airport authorities at NSC Bose International Airport responded with remarkable speed, bringing the situation under control within minutes. Emergency protocols were activated as a precautionary measure, though the situation was managed without requiring full emergency services.
Kolkata Airport Director C Pattovi confirmed that following the incident, the aircraft underwent a thorough inspection by technical experts. Surprisingly, the detailed examination revealed no technical issues or signs of fire that could have caused the smoke.
Aircraft Cleared for Takeoff After Safety Checks
After comprehensive safety checks and verification that the aircraft was completely airworthy, authorities cleared the private jet for departure. The aircraft successfully took off shortly after 11 am, with all six passengers onboard continuing their journey without further incident.
This smoke scare comes just hours after another aviation incident at the same airport. On Sunday night, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Kolkata had to make an emergency landing at Kolkata airport following what officials described as an "engine malfunction" during its flight.
The back-to-back incidents have raised questions about aircraft maintenance and safety protocols, though authorities have emphasized that both situations were handled professionally without any casualties or injuries to passengers or crew members.
Airport officials have reassured the public that safety remains their top priority and that all standard operating procedures were followed meticulously during both emergency situations.
