Source: www.economictimes.indiatimes.com

An Air India flight on Wednesday was evacuated after smoke started billowing out of the flight at Muscat International Airport.

All passengers were evacuated on slides after smoke started coming out of the passenger plane. The incident happened while the aircraft was on runway preparing for take-off at Muscat.

“All passengers were safely evacuated after smoke was detected in engine no. 2 of Air India Express flight (to Cochin) on the runway at Muscat airport. Relief flight to be arranged. We will investigate the incident and also take appropriate action, ” ANI quoted the DGCA as saying.

In a statement, an Air India Express spokesperson said there were 141 passengers onboard the plane, which was to depart Muscat at 1120 hours (local time).

“While it was on the taxiway, another aircraft reported observing fumes from one of the engines. However, there was no fire warning indication in the cockpit. As a matter of abundant precaution, and following the prescribed SOPs, the crew stopped on the taxiway and activated the onboard engine fire extinguishers,” the statement said.

Air India Express also said the matter is being investigated by the regulatory authorities as well as the airline’s flight safety department.