Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Sep 21: In a mid-air scare, a flight from here to Doha on Thursday September 21 evening developed engine failure within 45 minutes of its take-off and had to return to the Mangaluru airport.

The flight Air India Express IX 821 was carrying over 170 passengers to Doha.

Confirming the incident, Mangaluru airport director V V Rao said that one engine of the aircraft failed a little half an hour after departure at 5.35 pm, due to which it had to be flown back. The flight landed safely, he said.

He also said that alternate arrangements are being made for the passengers on the flight.

A passenger who was aboard speaking to daijiworld said that when the engine failed, there was a 'loud bang' and the passengers panicked.

"Exactly 45 minutes after take-off, the engine failed and the flight came plunged down with speed. If we had flown another five or ten minutes we would not have survived. Some of us thought the flight exploded."

Another passenger said, "A little after half an hour of take-off, there was a loud sound. At first we thought it was thunder, but came to know it was engine failure. Thereafter the flight turned around and we landed safely at Mangaluru airport."

Sources said after the engine failed, the aircraft lost its height and balance all of a sudden, and was vibrating throughout on its return journey till it landed. Most of the passengers were too shaken to narrate the experience in detail. "We are grateful to the pilot that we survived," they said.

The passengers appreciated the pilots and the crew for handling the situation and bringing them back safely. Some of them even took selfies with the pilots of the aircraft.

As per sources at the airport, the passengers will now be flown to Doha on the morning of Friday September 22. However, some of the passengers, too shaken from the incident, said they were not prepared to travel by flight again so soon.

The airline is making hotel arrangements for passengers who are from far off places, said sources.

Message regarding the incident has also been conveyed to Doha airport.

Rakshith Naik, who was one of the passengers aboard, told daijiworld that he was travelling to Doha with his wife and daughter. "When the plane suddenly plunged, we thought our end had come. Everyone started to cry and pray."

He also said that he has taken accomodation for the night in a hotel, where other passengers are also staying. "I think half the passengers do not want to go in tomorrow's recheduled flight. Air India is making arrangements to refund their airfare," he said.