Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 27: A Jet Airways flight to Mumbai with over 150 passengers on board, which was about to take off from the international airport here had to be cancelled at the last minute on Tuesday December 26. This happened to be second such instance of flight cancellation for technical reasons in the last three months from this airport.

On September 21, an Air India flight with 173 passengers aboard had returned within 30 minutes of take off as one of its engines failed to function. In the case of Tuesday's flight cancellation, alert pilot took timely decision and thus saved passengers from possibility of facing danger, it is gathered.

This flight was to leave from here at 11.15 am, but the flight was delayed by 15 minutes as there was delay in its arrival from Mumbai. Almost all the seats in this flight with a capacity of 168 passengers had been occupied, it is said. After the final phase of technical checks, the pilot was taxying the aircraft on the runway for take off when a technical fault came to his notice. He sought ten more minutes for the take off, but could not address the defect in spite of best efforts. Therefore, the flight had to be cancelled, airport sources said.

It is said that oil leak from the engine was the reason for the cancellation of this flight. Minor problems would have been set right and the flight could have been rescheduled with an hour's delay but in this case, a spare part needed to be replaced. It took four to five hours to get the spare part required and ready the flight for take off. Therefore, the flight finally took off at 6.05 pm. The passengers were compelled to wait at the airport till the evening.

Director of the airport, V V Rao, speaking to a Kannada daily, said that he was not aware about the cancellation of flight on account of technical problems. He added that the operating company concerned is responsible for making alternative arrangements for its passengers in such cases.