Video Input: Trinanjan Chatterjee
Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
A Mumbai-Durgapur SpiceJet flight encountered serious turbulence during descent at the destination on Sunday, 1 May, injuring at least 15 on board.
The Boeing 737-800 aircraft flew into a storm while landing. Passengers started panicking as baggage from the overhead cabins fell on many of them, leading to injuries.
The plane had taken off from Mumbai on Sunday evening and was scheduled to arrive at Durgapur's Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport at around 7 pm when it encountered turbulence. It finally managed to land at 7:15 pm.
The injured persons were rushed to a hospital for medical assistance upon landing, and two of them are in the ICU, as per news agency PTI. A total of 188 passengers were on board the flight.
Later, the DGCA informed that one of the passengers in the ICU was admitted to Diamond Hospital with a head injury, and the other passenger in ICU was admitted to The Mission Hospital with a spinal injury.
"Eleven passengers travelling on SpiceJet flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Durgapur on May 1, which encountered severe turbulence during descent which unfortunately resulted in injuries to a few passengers, were hospitalised. Eight of those hospitalised have been discharged so far. SpiceJet is providing all possible help to the injured," SpiceJet said in a statement.
"The seat belt sign was on when the aircraft encountered turbulence. Multiple announcements were made by the pilots and the crew instructing passengers to remain seated and keep their seat belt fastened. Due to severe turbulence, injuries were caused to few passengers. Timely medical assistance was provided upon arrival."SpiceJet
The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has off-rostered the crew involved, the aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) who released the aircraft from Durgapur, and the incharge of the Maintenance Control Center of SpiceJet, reported news agency ANI.
Passengers Recall Horror
"The plane was mid-air, it was going up and down. This happened around 6:45 pm. People were falling here and there, someone's bag fell, someone's bag opened. I fell and injured my head," a passenger told reporters after the flight landed.
"There were three jerks during the descent. It was more intense than what happens when a car hits a big bump. I had my seat belt on but it got torn and gave away," described another passenger, who sustained an injury on his head.
Purported videos of the incident circulated on social media showed belongings strewn on the aisle between the seats of the flight, as sounds of commotion and panic rent the shaking aircraft.
DGCA Launches Probe, Aviation Minister Scindia Says Matter Being Dealt With 'Seriously'
The Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Monday that it has instituted a multidisciplinary probe into the incident of turbulence on SpiceJet's Mumbai-Durgapur. A team of the DCGA reached Kolkata airport to inspect the aircraft and will be recording the statements of passengers and crew members, ANI reported.
The aviation authority indicated that the probe will examine whether there were any lapses before the aircraft encountered bad weather. If any safety issues are found, the regulator will take strict action.
The DCGA also said that some passengers suffered head injuries and had to get stitches, while one passenger sustained a spinal injury.
Taking to Twitter, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated, "The turbulence encountered by a flight while landing in Durgapur, and the damage caused to the passengers is unfortunate. The DCGA has deputed a team to investigate the incident. The matter is being dealt with utmost seriousness & deftness. More details on the cause(s) will be shared once the investigation is completed."
SpiceJet had earlier issued another statement expressing regret over the incident.
"On May 1, SpiceJet Boeing B737 aircraft operating flight SG-945 from Mumbai to Durgapur encountered severe turbulence during descent which unfortunately resulted in injuries to a few passengers. Immediate medical assistance was provided upon the aircraft's arrival in Durgapur," it had said.
(With inputs from Trinanjan Chatterjee.)
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