Staff docked, flight grounded after SpiceJet flight hits turbulence; 2 passengers in ICU
Aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday (May 2) said it has instituted a multidisciplinary team to probe the severe turbulence incident on SpiceJet’s Mumbai-Durgapur flight that left 15 people injured on Sunday.
DGCA’s preliminary investigation showed that two passengers have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Fifteen passengers suffered head, spine, shoulder, forehead and facial injuries.
The DGCA issued a note which read that of the two passengers admitted in the ICU, one is being treated at Diamond hospital in Durgapur for head injury while the other passenger is in Mission hospital with spinal injury.
DGCA chief Arun Kumar told PTI, “We have deputed a multidisciplinary team to carry out regulatory investigation (into this incident).”
Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “The turbulence encountered by a flight while landing in Durgapur, and the damage caused to the passengers is unfortunate. The DGCA has deputed a team to investigate the incident.”
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The Directorate also took off the roster the flight’s crew, aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) and in-charge of SpiceJet’s maintenance control centre, pending a probe. At present, the aircraft that was involved in the incident on Sunday is grounded in Kolkata, the DGCA said. The rest of the SpiceJet aircraft fleet are in operation.
The incident happened onboard the 189-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft. SpiceJet spokesperson said the plane flew into a storm while landing. The passengers panicked and cabin baggage fell on many of them, causing injuries, including on the head.
There were 195 people, including two pilots and four cabin crew members, on board the Mumbai-Durgapur flight, the DGCA mentioned. The plane took off from the Mumbai airport at approximately 5.13 PM on Sunday, it said. “During descent, the aircraft experienced severe turbulence and the vertical load factor varied from +2.64G and -1.36G. During this period, the autopilot got disengaged for two minutes and the crew manually flew the aircraft,” it mentioned.
“Damage has occurred to a few seat hand rest and overhead decorative panel. One cabin overhead bin (hatrack) lock was found broken,” it mentioned. “The galley items were seen strewn across on the floor. Same was the condition in the aisle. The airline after inspection positioned the aircraft in Kolkata,” it said.
SpiceJet said the seat belt sign was on and multiple announcements were made by crew members asking passengers to remain seated.
Extreme turbulence in a flight between Mumbai to Durgapur. I can feel what's going on in the minds of passengers when oxygen masks are coming down.
Airline was SpiceJet. Again it was B737 MAX.
Never travelling in this aircraft.
But thankfully no major accident. 🙏#SpiceJet pic.twitter.com/j7225Ag0UZ— Yuvraj Sharma (@SharmaYuv1) May 1, 2022
On Monday, SpiceJet spokesperson said, “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, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it is providing all possible help to the injured.
Some passengers recorded the panic following the incident on their mobile cameras. One of the clips shows bags and in-flight food scattered on the floor of the aircraft and oxygen masks down. The cabin baggage fell on some passengers, which was one of the reasons for the injuries.
(With inputs from agencies)
