Turkish Airlines plane makes emergency landing at Kolkata airport after engine fire alert

A Turkish Airlines plane made an emergency landing at Kolkata airport, prompted by a possible fire in one of the engines. According to ANI, Turkish 727 was travelling from Kathmandu to Istanbul when the pilots performed a full emergency landing at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport around noon.

The aircraft is undergoing inspections at the Kolkata Airport, as per Vikram Singh, Airport Director, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, Kolkata.

Emergency diversion after engine alert

Flight THY-727, carrying 236 passengers, landed safely at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport around 2:49 pm. Airport authorities say that the pilot informed Kolkata Air Traffic Control of a possible fire in the aircraft’s right engine, which initiated ground emergency procedures.

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The plane is now at the Kolkata airport, where a technical check is being conducted, confirmed by the airport director.

Fire scare moments after take-off from Kathmandu

The incident also initiated emergency procedures at Tribhuvan International Airport, from where the plane had departed earlier in the day. Airport authorities say that the right engine caught fire just minutes after takeoff.

“The Turkish Airlines with flight number 'THY-727' caught fire within four minutes of takeoff, the right engine caught fire. The flight took off at 1:28 PM (Local Time),” Tribhuvan International Airport General Manager Teknath Sitaula told ANI.

Following the alert, the pilot turned off the engine and changed course west of Kathmandu. The plane remained airborne for about 10 minutes as the pilot assessed the situation.

Aircraft held over Nepal airspace for assessment

Further information from Gyanendra Bhul, deputy spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, reveals that the plane remained airborne over the Dharke area of Dhading district.

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“The pilot informed the Kathmandu tower and continued flying on a single engine, holding the aircraft for some time over the Dharke area of Dhading district, to assess the situation,” Bhul told The Kathmandu Post.

Kolkata chosen over return landing

As per a report by The Kathmandu Post, after inspecting the aircraft, the crew realised that it was not safe to continue the flight to Istanbul. Although they could have turned back to Kathmandu or gone to Bhairahawa, instead decided to land in Kolkata.

Further inspections will be carried out to determine the problem with the engine before the aircraft is put back into service.