Close call: Hyderabad-bound Air India Express flight makes emergency landing in Vizag; suspected bird hit

NEW DELHI: An Air India Express flight from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad carrying 103 passengers made an emergency landing at the Vizag airport on Thursday after the pilot reported an engine problem, suspected to have been caused by a bird hit, officials said.

Visakhapatnam Airport director S Raja Reddy confirmed that flight IX 2658, which took off from Vizag at 2.38 pm, returned within 20 minutes after encountering the issue mid-air.

"After departing Vizag, the pilot reported some problem in the engine. So, he asked for an emergency landing and returned to Vizag. The flight landed safely and passengers were deboarded," Reddy told PTI.

He added that the aircraft travelled only about 10 nautical miles before the pilot sought an emergency landing. "Alternative arrangements are being made by the airline," Reddy said.

According to airport authorities, the suspected bird hit occurred while the aircraft was ascending. The flight landed safely by 3 pm and all passengers are reported to be safe.

(With inputs from news agency PTI)

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