A Malaysia Airlines flight travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah made an emergency landing at Chennai airport after developing a technical problem with one of its engines, prompting a full emergency response from ground crews.
Malaysia Airlines Flight Diverts To Chennai After Mid-Air Engine Fault
Flight MH156, operated by an Airbus A330-200, was carrying 186 people when a fault was detected in Engine No. while the aircraft was mid-route. The pilot contacted air traffic control and requested permission to divert and land as a precaution.
Full Emergency Declared At Chennai Airport
Chennai airport declared a full emergency at 4.07pm IST, activating fire tenders, ambulances and security personnel around the runway ahead of the aircraft’s arrival. The aircraft landed safely at 4.44pm and was directed to Bay 45.
A senior Chennai airport official told NDTV it was a smooth landing and that all passengers were safe. Passengers were evacuated without incident once the aircraft reached the bay, and their baggage was subsequently removed for processing.
No Injuries As Airline Begins Technical Review
There were no reported injuries among the 186 people on board. An airport spokesperson said further assessment of the aircraft and the technical fault was being carried out jointly by Malaysia Airlines and relevant technical teams, with details on the exact nature of the engine issue not yet released.
The emergency did not disrupt wider airport operations, with other flights at Chennai continuing to operate normally throughout.
The incident came on the same day as a separate technical scare involving an IndiGo flight, which returned to Goa airport shortly after take-off following an engine-related fault on its way to Delhi. That aircraft also landed safely, with all passengers disembarking without injury.
Arrangements for MH156 passengers to continue their journey to Jeddah had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikipedia/Colin Cooke Photo
FAQs
Which airport code does Chennai use?
Chennai International Airport operates under the IATA code MAA and is one of India's busiest gateways for flights connecting South India to the Gulf.
How common are engine-related diversions in Indian airspace?
India has seen several such incidents in recent months, including domestic IndiGo flights diverting after in-flight technical faults, prompting closer scrutiny of aircraft maintenance schedules.