5 hurt as jet blast shatters IndiGo aircraft’s window

The incident occurred when an arriving SpiceJet aircraft took a turn to park at the bay. The jet blast broke the right front window glass of coach number 34 of our aircraft parked at bay 17

In a freak accident, five Mumbai-bound passengers on board an IndiGo coach sustained minor injuries when the windowpane of the bus shattered due to a suspected jet blast from a SpiceJet flight at Delhi airport.

Jet blast is caused when jet engines of aircraft produce rapid air movement on or before take-off.

A probe has been ordered into the incident that took place at the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 4.50pm on Friday, when boarding of passengers on flight 6E-191 en route to Mumbai was in progress.

“The incident occurred when an arriving SpiceJet aircraft (SG-253) took a turn to park at the allocated bay. The jet blast broke the right front window glass of coach number 34 of our aircraft parked at bay 17,” an IndiGo spokeserson said.

The injured passengers were rushed to the airport clinic for medical assistance. “The flight departed from Delhi after passengers were given medical assistance,” the spokesperson said, adding that two of the five injured flew in the same flight, while three others departed later.

“We have voluntarily informed the authorities. The matter is being investigated by the IndiGo safety department and the regulator. At the IndiGo, safety of the passengers is of utmost importance. It can’t be compromised,” the IndiGo spokesperson said.

The Delhi Police have also initiated an investigation into the matter and will file a case of negligence.

SpiceJet, however, said it’s too early to conclude that the incident was caused by a jet blast from one of its aircraft.

“The Chandigarh-Delhi Spice- Jet flight was following Air Traffic Control instructions and taxiing after landing at Delhi. It is too early to say if the incident was caused by an outside object or a jet blast,” a Spicejet spokeperson said.

It is also to be seen if the SpiceJet aircraft or the bus violated the vehicular movement lane or there was any other reason that caused the accident.

The Spicejet officer said it’s also too early to fix the responsibility as the pilots were following normal procedures followed worldwide. “In any case, we have informed the regulator and the airline is closely cooperating with all assistance. There was no damage to the window panes of any aircraft,” he said.

The ChandigarhDelhi SpiceJet flight was following Air Traffic Control instructions and taxiing after landing at Delhi. It is too early to say if the incident was caused by an outside object or a jet blast