Chennai, May 12— A major safety incident was averted on Tuesday when pilots of an Abu Dhabi-bound Etihad flight identified a fire on the aircraft’s wing prior to departure. The flight, carrying roughly 280 passengers, was grounded after the crew observed flames emanating from the left side of the plane during its pre-flight rollout.
Airport authorities affirmed that the emergency protocol was executed swiftly, allowing for the safe evacuation of everyone on board. Firefighting units reached the aircraft within minutes to suppress the blaze, ensuring that the fire did not spread to the fuselage or fuel tanks. Officials maintained that the prompt detection by the flight crew prevented a more serious escalation.
“All the passengers were safely disembarked and there were no injuries to anyone,” a representative from the airport stated. While the flight has been officially cancelled, technical teams are currently investigating the mechanical failure that led to the wing fire. Etihad Airways has been contacted for further details on the incident, though a spokesperson was not immediately available for comment.
