Close Call: SpiceJet Flight Declares Mayday After Engine Failure During Descent; All Passengers Safe

A SpiceJet Boeing 737 carrying 157 passengers and crew on flight SG 670 from Mumbai to Kolkata faced a heart-stopping crisis late Sunday night when one of its two engines suddenly failed during the critical final descent phase into Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The pilots immediately declared a mayday, alerting air traffic control to the severe malfunction and requesting priority landing clearance while maintaining composure under extreme pressure.

Emergency response teams sprang into action the moment the distress call was received. Fire tenders, rescue vehicles, and medical ambulances lined the runway, ready to tackle potential fire outbreaks, hydraulic failures, or evacuation scenarios. The aircraft executed a flawless single-engine approach and touched down safely at exactly 11:38 p.m., with the full emergency protocol officially stood down just minutes later. All passengers and crew exited via standard stairways without incident or injury.

Airport officials confirmed that the crew first noticed irregular engine performance approximately 15 minutes before landing, triggering an immediate switch to emergency checklists. Despite the loss of thrust on one side, the pilots maintained full control using the remaining engine and deployed flaps and landing gear normally. Ground controllers provided uninterrupted guidance, ensuring no other aircraft were in the vicinity during the high-risk maneuver.

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SpiceJet released a detailed statement early Monday morning, acknowledging the “technical issue during descent” while praising the crew’s professionalism. The airline confirmed that the affected aircraft has been grounded for thorough engineering inspection, including engine teardown and systems diagnostics, before being cleared for future operations. Affected passengers were promptly rebooked on subsequent flights with complimentary refreshments and assistance.

The incident has reignited concerns over SpiceJet’s fleet reliability amid ongoing financial restructuring. Regulatory authorities have initiated a mandatory probe into the engine failure’s root cause, with preliminary focus on maintenance records and component fatigue. The aircraft, registered as VT-SLH, remains parked at a remote bay pending DGCA approval for return to service.

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