Mumbai:
The Civil Aviation watchdog Director General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) preliminary inquiry into last night's Jet flight mishap at Mumbai airport seems to have found the pilot and crew inadequate in their response to the situation.
NDTV has learnt that the DGCA's preliminary report has found that the crew did not carry out proper evacuation drill. Sources say the probe has found that the flight was stopped in taxiway instead of being taken to parking bay.
The preliminary inquiry has also found that the engine showed no signs of fire and and the crew's response to the fire alarm caused panic among passengers. In fact, sources say the preliminary finding is that the fire alarm never went off in the cockpit.
The Pilot and crew have now been de-rostered which is said to be part of standard procedure. NDTV has learnt the DGCA will take stringent action against those found to be responsible for the mishap.
Sources say the DGCA is also probing the claim by passengers that emergency chutes did not open.
Twenty six passengers of a Jet flight were injured at Mumbai airport during an emergency evacuation after a fire alarm went off in the cockpit on Friday night. Some were hurt because they tried to jump from the plane while others sustained injuries in the chaos when passengers rushed to slide down the chutes.
Eleven passengers were admitted in Nanavati Hospital, six were diagnosed with fracture. Now, only two patients are in the hospital, rest have been discharged.
According to reports, 153 passengers were on board the flight.
"Jet Airways pilot of flight 9W 2302 (Mumbai-Chennai) reported fire in one of the engine while its was on the taxiway. MIAL emergency services responded to the call. However, there was no visible fire," the spokesperson said.
The pilot alerted the ATC and a full emergency was declared. Taking no chances, the commander of the flight decided to evacuate all passengers.
Emergency slides were deployed and 153 panic stricken passengers were deplaned using the chutes.
Fire engines were rushed to the spot, but reported no visible fire.
While sliding out, some passengers were injured and sustained fractures. Most of them were given first aid.
"Well just like any emergency situation, the thing was to escape somehow and I too had the same feeling," said a passenger.
While another passenger said, "The crew handled the emergency very well. All were young people, just around 25 years old, but they were so well prepared and handled it very well."
After several hours, the passengers were put on the same flight to Chennai where the flight arrived a little after 2 am.
Jet Airways in a statement said the commander of the flight proceeded to declare a precautionary emergency although there were no visible traces of fire.
"The commander on board Jet Airways flight 9W 2302 Mumbai-Chennai was informed of an indication of a fire in left engine. Although there was no visible trace of a fire, the commander proceeded to declare a precautionary emergency," the statement said.
All passengers were deplaned safely and a thorough inspection of the engine was carried out, it added. (With PTI Inputs)