An 89-passenger SpiceJet flight that took off for Nashik from the state capital on Thursday turned back mid-way due to an “autopilot” glitch and the aviation authority DGCA will investigate the incident, according to an official. The Boeing 737 aircraft landed safely and later the passengers were taken to Nashik in another aircraft.
This is the latest in a series of incidents involving SpiceJet planes, which were ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 27 to operate only 50 percent of their flights for eight weeks. The order came after various SpiceJet aircraft faced technical problems. SpiceJet B737 VT-SLP, operating flight SG-8363 (Delhi-Nashik), was involved in an air diversion on Thursday due to autopilot snag, a DGCA official said.
The DGCA will investigate the incident, the official added. A source said there were 89 passengers on board and they were taken to Nashik in Maharashtra by another plane. In a statement, SpiceJet said its Delhi-Nashik flight returned to Delhi after the flight crew experienced a malfunction in the autopilot system. “The aircraft landed normally in Delhi and the passengers disembarked normally,” it said. On Wednesday, SpiceJet, which is facing multiple headwinds, reported a widening of net loss to Rs 789 crore in the June quarter, mainly due to high fuel prices and rupee depreciation. Besides, the DGCA canceled the registration of six Boeing 737 aircraft of SpiceJet in August for non-payment of dues.
