Air India Express officials said that the flight took off from Delhi on September 2 and discovered an engine problem after takeoff. (File Photo/PTI)
The identification process of aircraft heading to Vasant Kunj area started immediately. After a long exercise, the aircraft was identified and instructed to return to the airport
Worryingly, debris from a plane that apparently took off from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport was found in the capital's Vasant Kunj area.
After the Southwest District Police informed the airport authorities about the incident, panic immediately erupted. The Air Traffic Control Center (ATC) notified pilots of all aircraft about to take off during that time period of the incident. After a lengthy exercise, the aircraft was identified and the Air India Express aircraft was directed to return to the airport.
According to airport sources, the incident occurred at around 9:30 pm on September 2. While the plane was flying over Vasant Kunj area, some metal fragments from the fuselage fell on the roof of a house in the area. The owner of the house immediately shared the information with the Delhi Police control room.
The Delhi Police Control Room shared this information with other agencies including IGI Airport. The identification process of aircraft heading to Vasant Kunj area started immediately. ATC notified pilots of all aircraft taking off and landing from IGI Airport during that period of the incident. After a long exercise, the aircraft was confirmed to be an Air India Express flight with flight number IX-145.
The air traffic control center contacted the pilot of the aircraft and informed him about the metal fragments recovered from the house in Vasant Kunj. The pilots were instructed to return immediately and conduct a precautionary landing.
After all arrangements were made, the plane landed at IGI Airport. Sources revealed that all passengers and crew on board were safe.
Air India Express officials said that flight IX 145 took off from Delhi on September 2 and discovered an engine problem after takeoff. The pilot followed the prescribed procedures and landed cautiously at Delhi Airport. Regulators and other relevant agencies have been informed. The investigation is ongoing.
Talking about the metal debris from the aircraft found in the Shankar Vihar area of Vasant Kunj, the airline said that they received information about the metal debris from its aircraft in Shankar Vihar. They were unable to confirm whether the debris fell from the plane and are currently investigating.
Southwest District Police said an investigation report on the aircraft has not yet been released. They said it would be ascertained whether the fallen debris belonged to the Air India Express aircraft only after a report was received.
