Air India Express Airbus A320 Forced to Return to Bengaluru Due to Engine Fire

Something is definitely wrong with the maintenance team of Air India Express. In the past two days, the airline has witnessed back-to-back emergency landings. After the decompression incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX, now engine of an Airbus A320 caught fire after getting airborne.

Air India Express A320: Engine on Fire

The incident occurred with an aircraft belonging to AIX Connect, a Low-Cost Subsidiary of Air India, which has almost merged with Air India Express. AIX Connect flight IX 1132 was getting ready to fly from Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) to Kochi International Airport (COK). The flight was scheduled to depart at 09:45 PM but was delayed by an hour. At 10:59 PM, it departed from Bengaluru Airport.

Soon after takeoff, the crew onboard noticed that the aircraft’s right engine was on fire. It climbed to 6,000 ft and started a U-turn to return to the airport. The pilots informed the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and declared a full-state emergency. As expected, the fire tenders were on standby when the aircraft was landing.

At 11:12 PM, the aircraft touched down safely at Bengaluru Airport. All 179 passengers and crew members evacuated using the emergency slides. The crew successfully accomplished the evacuation. The engine fire was extinguished by the fire tenders commissioned at the airport. In a statement, the airline said that a thorough investigation would be conducted regarding this incident.

What It Felt Like Inside the Aircraft?

While you and I were not onboard this flight, it would surely be a terrifying experience for the passengers. According to the passenger’s account shared by Moneycontrol, some passengers saw the fire soon after takeoff and started panicking and screaming. But kudos to the pilots for landing the aircraft safely. Also, huge appreciation for the cabin crew members for the seamless evacuation process. As I always say, the airline staff members are better than you in every task. So, believe in them blindly.

However, some passengers criticized the airline for not providing alternative arrangements on time. After the evacuation process, many passengers including senior citizens and children were stranded at Terminal 2. The airline provided alternative flight options to 122 of the 179 passengers, but the rest of them were accommodated on late flights.

As they say in the aviation world every landing from which you walk away safely is a good landing, incidents like these show the truth of this saying. Incidents like these also help many Indians appreciate and understand the importance of cabin crew members. Usually, some entitled passengers see them as just servants of the airline. However, during an emergency, cabin crew members are trained to get you out of danger, even risking their own lives. So, if you are such a passenger, remember this the next time you board a plane and show respect to the crew members.

Aircraft Involved

The aircraft involved in this incident is an Airbus A320ceo registered as VT-ATF. This aircraft belongs to AIX Connect, which will soon be fully merged into Air India Express. Same as the entire A320 fleet, this aircraft has also been inherited from AirAsia India. Since the brand usage license of AirAsia lapsed in November 2023, AIX Connect has removed the airline’s branding from the livery.

This A320, MSN 6015 is 10.3 years old. It has been leased from BBAM Leasing Corporation. A pair of CFM56 engines power this aircraft. AIX Connect operates this with 180 seats in an all-economy configuration.

After substantial damage, this airframe has been declared Aircraft on Ground (AOG). Given that emergency slides were used for evacuation, you can expect a significant period of grounding.

Before this, the same aircraft suffered a bird strike in March 2023, when it was departing Bhubaneswar Airport for Pune. During takeoff, it was hit by a bird, which caused severe damage to the windshield and radome.

Conclusion: Engine Fire On Air India Express Aircraft

Air India Express Airbus A320ceo registered as VT-ATF was forced to return to Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport when the right engine caught on fire. Within 20 minutes of departure, the aircraft landed back at Bengaluru Airport. All the passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. The airline has promised a detailed inquiry into this incident. The airframe has been declared AOG.

What do you think is behind the cause of these back-to-back emergency landings? Discuss in the comment section.