SpiceJet flight SG 851 (Delhi-Jammu) took off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 9.39 am. Almost immediately, the ATC noticed debris on the runway and suspected it to be pieces of the plane’s tyres.
“The authorities requested the SpiceJet flight to come back as a precautionary measure,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said. The plane landed safely.
The aircraft made a low flypast over IGI Airport’s runway where a visual inspection was made of the undercarriage by Spicejet engineers. Post inspection, the aircraft was deemed fit for landing and the pilot made a safe touchdown on runway 28 at 11.31 am. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, had 159 persons on board, including crew. “All members on board are safe,” an airlines official said.
“On inspection, it was found that debris did not belong to the plane. The aircraft was then refuelled and it took off with the passengers for Jammu,” said the spokesperson.