SpiceJet plane moved off runway in Hyderabad Airport due to engine noise

Hyderabad: A SpiceJet aircraft scheduled to depart from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, to Renigunta was removed from the runway on Wednesday morning after the crew detected unusual engine noise during pre-departure checks.

According to airport sources, the aircraft had reached the runway at 6:30 a.m. as scheduled. During routine inspections, the crew noticed an unusual sound from the engine, prompting an immediate halt to the departure.

The aircraft was then towed away for a detailed technical inspection. No injuries or disruptions to other airport operations were reported.

This incident comes shortly after a similar case involving an IndiGo flight. On Saturday, January 4, 2025, a scheduled IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam was diverted to RGIA due to a mid-air technical issue. The pilot detected a malfunction and rerouted the aircraft to Hyderabad, where it landed safely. All 144 passengers disembarked without injury.

Passengers from the IndiGo flight expressed relief but also concern over the potential risks had the issue escalated. Calls for stricter safety protocols have surfaced following the string of recent incidents.

In another case, on September 24, 2024, an Air India flight (9I 877) bound for Tirupati was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing from RGIA. The ATR-72-600 aircraft had taken off at 6:30 a.m. but returned due to an engine issue.

The emergency landing was safely executed at around 8:30 a.m., with all passengers unharmed. However, many complained of inadequate assistance and prolonged waiting at the airport post-landing.

Earlier, on July 22, 2024, Akasa Airlines passengers faced long delays for a flight to Delhi. The flight, scheduled to depart at 5:00 a.m., was delayed significantly as the aircraft had not arrived. Passengers grew frustrated over the lack of clear communication from airline staff and demanded alternate arrangements.