Captain Monica Khanna, pilot of the SpiceJet’s Boeing 737 travelling from Patna to Delhi, had to perform an emergency landing after one of the engines on her plane caught fire mid-flight.
Her steadfastness saved the lives of 185 passengers.
Without a moment’s delay, she switched off the affected engine and safely landed the flight at Patna airport. She performed an overweight landing along with First Officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia.
“Captain Monica Khanna & first officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia, conducted themselves well during the incident. They were calm throughout & handled the aircraft well.
They are experienced officers & we’re proud of them,” Gurcharan Arora, Chief of flight operations, SpiceJet said.
The fire was reportedly caused by a bird hit.
Arora added, “Only a single engine was functioning when the plane landed. Engineers inspected the aircraft, it was confirmed that the fan blade and engine were damaged as a bird hit it. DGCA will probe further.”
Her steadfastness saved the lives of 185 passengers.
Without a moment’s delay, she switched off the affected engine and safely landed the flight at Patna airport. She performed an overweight landing along with First Officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia.
“Captain Monica Khanna & first officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia, conducted themselves well during the incident. They were calm throughout & handled the aircraft well.
They are experienced officers & we’re proud of them,” Gurcharan Arora, Chief of flight operations, SpiceJet said.
The fire was reportedly caused by a bird hit.
Arora added, “Only a single engine was functioning when the plane landed. Engineers inspected the aircraft, it was confirmed that the fan blade and engine were damaged as a bird hit it. DGCA will probe further.”
