The turbulence due to the storm injured 15 people when the SpiceJet flight traveled from Mumbai to Durgapur. However, the aircraft landed safely.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, a SpiceJet plane traveling from Mumbai to Durgapur faced severe turbulence before landing safely. A video circulated on social media shows the problems faced by the passengers due to the turbulence. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DCGA) ordered an investigation into the incident on Monday.
During its descent to Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, the SpiceJet Boeing B737 aircraft started facing turbulence due to a storm, locally known as kalbaisakhi. Due to the turbulence, the plane began to hobble, and cabin baggage fell on the passengers. The 42-second video by a fellow passenger captured the incident with the luggage; bottles, and cups scattered on the aisle.
There were three jerks during the descent; however, it landed safely. Fifteen passengers were injured, and SpiceJet provided them immediate medical assistance upon the aircraft’s arrival in Durgapur. SpiceJet even expressed their regret about this unfortunate incident. Director (air safety) HN Mishra will probe into the incident, and medical reports of the injured are awaited.
The 15 passengers included 12 civilians and three cabin crew staff. Eight of the injured who were hospitalized were discharged. Some of them have suffered head injuries and stitches. One passenger has also complained of spinal injury. A passenger seen with his head bandaged told the media, “It was more intense than what happens in a car.”
The air hostess was seen reassuring the passengers to calm down. Many announcements were made by pilots and crew instructing passengers to be seated and fasten their seat belts. Despite being strapped in seatbelts, the seat belts tore on the impact, and the passengers were jostled in their seats, said a passenger who sustained a major head injury.
Sources from DCGA said that the aircraft took from Mumbai at 5 pm and was supposed to land at the Andal Airport by 7:30 pm. Though Air Traffic Controller did not inform the pilots about the approaching storm, the passengers had a scare of their lives.
Published by: Gargi sharma
Edited by: Aaradhana Singh
