It was a harrowing experience at the city airport on Friday evening for the passengers of Jet Airways Mumbai- Chennai flight 9W- 2302.
A fire alarm in the cockpit led to emergency evacuation of the aircraft while it was still on the taxiway. The pilot ordered that the passengers be deplaned, using emergency services. Next instant all hell broke loose.
There was a sudden surge of passengers towards the exit and a mad scramble to slide down the chutes to safety.
In the near panic situation with the crew not able to control the situation, some passengers were forced to jump off the aircraft onto the tarmac and injured themselves. Thirty of them have reportedly sustained bruises and some of them have suffered multiple fractures. According to wire agency reports, about 153 passengers were on board.
Fifteen persons were taken to Nanavati hospital in ambulances for further treatment after receiving first aid at the airport. There was utter confusion on board and some passengers even concluded that the chutes were not functioning.
When contacted, a Jet spokesperson, however, denied the malfunction report saying, “ it is not correct”. Manish Kalghatgi, spokesperson of Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), said, “ Jet Airways flight 9W- 2302 bound for Chennai from Mumbai airport reported a fire in one of the engines while on the taxiway. Airport emergency services responded to the call. However, there was no visible fire.
However, once a fire alarm has been sounded, it is of utmost importance to abandon the aircraft immediately. The captain, therefore, ordered the deployment of chutes for emergency evacuation of passengers. All the passengers were evacuated.” ‘‘ Safety of our guests is of paramount importance to us,” was all the Jet spokesperson said in a statement. A full emergency was earlier declared at the Mumbai Airport and Fire Tenders rushed immediately to the spot.
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