A Swissair flight LX147 experienced engine failure and an engine fire while taking off from New Delhi Airport, India. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff and ordered an emergency evacuation of 232 passengers. Six people were injured.
A dramatic incident unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, when a Swissair plane's engine caught fire during takeoff preparations in the early hours of 27 April at approximately 01:08 local time.
The incident involved flight LX147, operating an Airbus A330 bound for Zurich, Switzerland. As the aircraft was accelerating on the runway for takeoff, one engine malfunctioned and visibly caught fire. The pilot immediately decided to abort takeoff for safety reasons.
After assessing the situation, the crew ordered the evacuation of all 228 passengers and 4 infants via emergency slides onto the runway. Videos and images of the evacuation circulated widely on social media. Reports indicate six passengers were injured during the evacuation and were taken to nearby hospitals, while all crew members remained uninjured.
Swissair issued a statement confirming the incident and announced the formation of a special task force to support affected passengers by arranging hotel accommodations and rebooking flights as soon as possible, along with providing contact cards to ensure continuous communication.
The statement said, "Such incidents cause stress for everyone involved. Our local team is closely supporting the passengers and coordinating fully with local authorities. Passenger and crew safety is always our top priority."
Additionally, Swissair plans to send a technical expert team from Switzerland to New Delhi to conduct a thorough inspection of the aircraft and determine the exact cause of the engine fire.
. NDTV