A Malaysia Airlines flight bound for Jeddah from Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Chennai on Monday after a technical issue involving one of its engines, with a full emergency declared at the airport, according to PTI.
Malaysia Airlines flight MH156, carrying 186 people, landed safely at Chennai airport after the diversion. Appropriate emergency response arrangements were activated at the airport, the news agency reported.
Engine No. 2 develops technical issue
The technical issue involved Engine No. 2, an airport official said as per the report.
“Further assessment of the aircraft and the technical issue is being carried out by the airline and relevant technical teams,” the spokesperson said.
The official added that airport operations remain normal.
The airline and technical teams are expected to assess the aircraft to determine the nature and extent of the engine problem. Further details about the cause of the technical issue and the flight's onward journey were not immediately available.
There were no immediate reports of injuries following the aircraft's safe landing in Chennai.
Air India Express flight also diverted
Separately, an Air India Express flight travelling from Tiruchirappalli to Singapore was also diverted to Chennai International Airport following a technical issue, PTI reported.
A “local standby was declared” at Chennai airport, with operational and emergency agencies placed on alert and necessary arrangements made for the aircraft's arrival.
The aircraft landed safely and vacated the runway under its own power.
The airline's engineering and technical teams are assessing the reported issue, while airport authorities said operations remained normal.
“All operations are normal,” the official said, according to PTI.
Air India Express Kochi-Abu Dhabi flight made turnback after engine issue
And, an Air India Express flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi made an air turnback a week ago after a technical issue was detected mid-flight, with the airline saying the aircraft returned to Kochi in line with established safety protocols, according to ANI.
The Boeing 737 operating flight IX 415 subsequently landed safely at Cochin International Airport. All passengers were later flown to Abu Dhabi on an alternative aircraft.
According to sources cited by the news agency, the aircraft was around 50 minutes into the flight and flying at 36,000 feet when the pilots noticed that the oil quantity in Engine 1 was falling rapidly.
The crew conducted a FORDEC assessment and, as the oil quantity continued to decline, decided to abandon the Abu Dhabi sector and return to Kochi.
The commander informed air traffic control through Mumbai Radio that the aircraft was turning back to Cochin, following standard safety procedures.
During the return flight, both pilots continued monitoring the engine parameters and prepared for possible contingencies.
Around 45 minutes after the turnback, the Engine 1 oil pressure began fluctuating and entered the red zone on the cockpit gauge, indicating a dangerous drop in pressure.
The crew then followed the Non-Normal Checklist and shut down Engine 1, ANI reported.
The Boeing 737 subsequently landed safely at Cochin International Airport.
Landing an aircraft with an engine shut down is a high-workload procedure, particularly when the aircraft is overweight, but the crew completed the landing safely, according to the report.
Passengers on board were subsequently accommodated on an alternative aircraft and flown to Abu Dhabi.
