HYDERABAD : A Malaysia Airlines flight from Hyderabad to Kuala Lumpur was forced to return to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) after sparks began emerging from the engine mid-air. As many as 138 passengers were on board flight MH199 when it made the emergency landing.
A video clip, recorded by one of the passengers, of sparks coming out from the engine went viral following which the airline confirmed that the flight returned due to a “technical snag” in the engine.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, took off from RGIA at 12:45 am and returned at 3:19 am, over two hours later.
Without commenting on the reason leading to the incident, the Sepang-based airlines said in a statement: “Malaysia Airlines can confirm that flight MH199 returned to Hyderabad due to an issue with one of the engines during climb after takeoff. The aircraft landed safely at the RGIA at 3:21 am local time; all passengers and crew disembarked safely.”
It added: “Affected passengers will be reallocated to other flights for their continued journey. The aircraft is currently on ground for further inspection. Safety remains of utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines.”
A source at the RGIA told TNIE that while some passengers requested cancellation of their tickets, others were accommodated in a hotel by the airlines. “The passengers who have opted to continue their journey will be accommodated on the flight leaving in the early hours of Friday at the same time (12:45 am),” the source said.