Turkish Airlines Flight Diverts to Kolkata Following Engine Fire Emergency
A Turkish Airlines aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport on Wednesday after its right engine caught fire minutes after departing from Kathmandu. The incident involved flight THY-727, an A330-303 aircraft, which was en route from Nepal's capital to Istanbul with 236 people on board, including 11 crew members.
Timeline of the Critical Incident
According to airport authorities, the flight took off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 1:28 PM local time. Within just four minutes of departure, the right engine of the aircraft reportedly caught fire, prompting immediate action from the flight crew. Teknath Sitaula, the general manager of Tribhuvan International Airport, confirmed the details to ANI, highlighting the swift nature of the emergency.
The pilots quickly alerted Kolkata air traffic control about the potential fire and initiated emergency procedures. They diverted the aircraft to the west of Kathmandu and successfully shut down the affected right engine, managing to keep the plane airborne for approximately 10 minutes under controlled conditions.
Safe Landing and Airport Response
The aircraft landed safely at Kolkata Airport at 2:49 PM, with all passengers and crew reported unharmed. Authorities at the Kolkata airport declared a full emergency for the Turkish Airlines flight upon receiving the alert, ensuring that all necessary safety measures were in place for the landing.
Following the incident, Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu was temporarily shut down for about 15 minutes as a precautionary measure. The Turkish Airlines A330-303 aircraft remains at Kolkata Airport, where an investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the engine fire.
Key Details and Ongoing Probe
- Flight Number: THY-727 (Turkish Airlines)
- Aircraft Type: A330-303
- Route: Kathmandu to Istanbul
- Passengers and Crew: 236 total (225 passengers, 11 crew)
- Emergency Landing Time: 2:49 PM at Kolkata Airport
- Current Status: Aircraft grounded in Kolkata, investigation ongoing
This incident underscores the importance of prompt pilot response and effective emergency protocols in aviation safety. The successful handling of the situation prevented any injuries, though it has raised concerns about aircraft maintenance and engine reliability. Aviation authorities are expected to release findings from the probe in the coming days.
