WATCH: Air ambulance makes emergency belly landing after malfunction, all passengers safe

Mumbai, May 7: A full state of emergency was declared for a non-scheduled flight at the Mumbai airport after an air ambulance flying from Nagpur to Hyderabad suffered a technical malfunction. The air ambulance was redirected to Mumbai, where it successfully belly-landed.

 

 

A Jet Serve Aviation C-90 aircraft VT-JIL was operating an ambulance flight from Nagpur with a patient on board. While departing, a wheel separated and fell on the ground. The aircraft landed in Mumbai and the crew confirmed they did a belly landing at 9:09 pm, as per an official statement.

 

 

The air ambulance was carrying 5 people including 2 crew members, 1 doctor, 1 patient, and 1 paramedic onboard, all of whom were evacuated safely after the plane landed. Runway 27 of the Mumbai Airport was foamed before the aircraft landed.

 

 

In this procedure, fire suppression foam is sprayed on the runway to prepare a foam layer, on which an aircraft can land on its belly. In case of belly landing, the landing gears of an aircraft are not deployed, and the aircraft lands on its belly. Therefore, the foam layer helps to prevent fire on impact, as the metal body directly hitting the runway creates sparks.

 

"The airport's emergency response team including the fire and rescue responders, follow-me vehicles, CISF, medical team amongst many others was activated instantly and on standby to provide immediate assistance to ensure the safe evacuation of the passengers," the statement said.

 

 

As a precautionary method, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport also foamed RWY 27 in order to avoid the aircraft catching fire. All passengers were evacuated safely and flights operating in and out of CSMIA remain on schedule.

 

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri praised pilot Kesari Singh for showing the presence of mind and landing the aircraft safely. He also appreciated the efforts of DCGA, Mumbai Airport, and others involved in the operation. "This video captures the crucial moments after belly landing of the ambulance flight on foam carpet in Mumbai after it lost a wheel during takeoff from Nagpur. All onboard are safe. Kudos to the crew & ground professionals," the minister said.