IndiGo's Delhi-Kathmandu flight catches fire

An IndiGo flight from Delhi caught fire as it landed in Kathmandu airport, but all 182 people on board escaped unhurt.

None of those aboard the aircraft - 175 passengers, an infant and six crew members—were injured, and the airline claimed that all the passengers were evacuated by the IndiGo crew in 81 seconds.

According to a statement issued by IndiGo, the flight 6E-031 made a “normal landing” on Saturday afternoon at Kathmandu airport. “After parking, the ground engineer observed smoke and fire from the right brake assembly, and advised evacuation of all passengers and crew. 171 passengers were evacuated by the slide chute, by which time the fire was under control. The rest of the passengers and crew left the aircraft by the forward step ladder,” said the statement.

The passengers have got their baggage. The statement said IndiGo was in touch with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to seek permission to send another aircraft to bring back the passengers booked on the Kathmandu-Delhi flight.

The Kathmandu-Delhi passengers who had arrived at the airport were put up in a hotel nearby as the Kathmandu-Delhi flight prepared to depart. According to the preliminary inquiry, sparks occurred due to heavy braking during landing, which could have led to a hydraulic leak, said sources. The DGCA will conduct an inquiry.