Why Did the SpiceJet Flight to Tirupati Return to Hyderabad?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- SpiceJet flight SG 2696 returned to Hyderabad due to a technical issue.
- The aircraft landed safely without an emergency situation.
- Passengers were safely deplaned and provided with alternate travel arrangements.
- Increased scrutiny on airline safety following recent aviation tragedies.
- Immediate communication with Air Traffic Control was crucial in handling the situation.
Hyderabad, June 19 (NationPress) A SpiceJet flight en route from Hyderabad to Tirupati made an unexpected return just 10 minutes post takeoff due to a technical issue on Thursday.
The flight, SG 2696, carrying 80 passengers, departed from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 6:10 a.m. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot identified a technical problem and promptly contacted Air Traffic Control to request a return.
The airline reported that a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft experienced an intermittent activation of the AFT baggage door light shortly after takeoff. “Cabin pressurization remained normal throughout the flight. As a precaution, the pilots opted to return to Hyderabad. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers disembarked without issues,” the airline stated.
SpiceJet emphasized that there was no emergency landing involved. An alternate aircraft has been arranged to facilitate the onward journey to Tirupati.
Following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in over 270 fatalities, including those on the ground, numerous flights across various airlines faced cancellations or diversions due to technical issues and security concerns.
On June 15, a Hyderabad-bound Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt returned to Germany after a bomb threat was reported at the Hyderabad airport.
Authorities at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport received a bomb threat email at 6:01 p.m. on June 15, prompting the formation of a bomb threat assessment committee to follow the standard operating procedures for safety. Consequently, the airline was advised to divert back to the origin or the nearest safe airport.
Later, Air Traffic Control at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport received confirmation that the flight was returning to Frankfurt.
The flight had taken off from Frankfurt around 2:15 p.m. and had not yet entered Indian airspace when it turned back. After two hours into its journey, Flight LH752 safely landed back at Frankfurt.
On June 12, an Air India aircraft tragically crashed just moments after takeoff to London Gatwick Airport from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 individuals on board, along with 33 casualties on the ground.