Passengers of budget carrier SpiceJet today had a narrow escape after rear tyres of its Delhi bound plane burst soon after taking off, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing at the airport here.
There were no casualties or any injuries to the 199 passengers due to the incident, the SpiceJet said.
The flight scheduled for New Delhi suffered a suspected tyre burst at the time of take-off, the airlines said.
"The crew decided to turn back and landed safely at the Chennai airport. Passengers were deplaned safely in a normal manner and taken to terminal building", it said.
The Chennai Airport said on the micro blogging site Twitter, that around 1425 hours today the tyres burst, and hydraulic problem caused the SpiceJet SG106 bound for New Delhi to make an "emergency landing".
"Aircraft landed safely but with another tyre burst on starboard side. All 199 passengers on-board safely deplaned and returned to terminal," it said.
Following the incident, the main runway was partially shut as the aircraft got stuck in the taxiing area.
"Due to damage to main runway and aircraft stuck in taxiway near the runway, the same will not be available for operations for at least three hours," it said.
"Secondary runway is in use currently. Inconvenience caused to passengers is regretted," it said.
Meanwhile, GoAir airlines said due to runway closure two of its flights bound for Mumbai and Cochin got delayed.Airport sources said there was delay of as many as 13 flight departures and 14 arrivals at the airport, one arrival was also cancelled.
Two flights were diverted to Bengaluru and another to Tuticorin, they added.
