A Kolkata-bound GoAir flight made emergency landing at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport within minutes of take-off after it reported technical issue. The GoAir Neo flight G8-532 with 185 passengers including the crew that departed from Ahmedabad at 5:59 am for Kolkata landed back safely at 6:40 am.
Sharing details on the same, airport officials said, "The A320, which departed at 5:59 am reported technical snag at 6:15 am, when the aircraft was 150 km from Ahmedabad and the pilot requested Ahmedabad ATC to permit it to return to Ahmedabad. At that time, the aircraft was flying at 27,000 feet above the ground. In view of safety of passengers and aircraft, ATC immediately approved the same. The pilot reported that all operations were normal. The flight landed safely at 6:40 am. After thorough check, the aircraft departed at 8.36 am for Kolkata."
A passenger requesting anonymity said, "We experienced massive vibration within the aircraft which created a panic situation. But the crew was quite supportive."
Last month, a Pratt & Whitney-engine powered A320 neo plane of GoAir returned to Mumbai due to high engine vibrations, an hour after its take-off for Delhi.
In January this year, there were reports of civil aviation ministry to review the frequent on-ground and mid-air glitches that the P&W engines, powering these planes, have been facing soon after their induction in early 2016. Last year, in February and March, 14 planes were grounded by the aviation regulator DGCA following series of mid-air engine shutdowns.
