Window panel found loose mid-air on Goa-Pune SpiceJet; airline says no safety risk
The airline played down the incident, saying the window part that had come off was "a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade".
But a person on board the plane — a Bombardier Q400 — told TOI the incident triggered anxiety among the passengers. "Two to three layers of the window panel just came off," said Aatish Mishra, the passenger.
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"There was no depressurization, but this shouldn't have happened. There has to be focus on proper maintenance of interiors too, just like other technical aspects. We've just had a tragic plane crash," Mishra added.
The airline in a statement said: "A cosmetic window frame on one of SpiceJet's Q400 aircraft became loose during flight and was found dislodged. It is important to note that this was a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade, and did not compromise the safety or integrity of the aircraft in any way. Cabin pressurisation remained normal throughout the flight, and there was no impact on passenger safety.
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Mishra said he was in row 8 of the plane when he heard commotion from the back. The Q400 can seat around 80 passengers.
"The flight's scheduled departure time was 5.20pm, but it took off from Goa's Mopa around 7pm. We were mid-air when I heard noises. A mother and child just stood up from their seats. I then saw the window frame, which had come off," he told TOI.
Mishra said the plane landed nearly 30 minutes later, with the broken window part.
A SpiceJet spokesperson said the frame was fixed after landing, "in accordance with standard maintenance procedures".
In its statement following the incident, the airline said: "The Q400 aircraft is equipped with multiple layers of window panes, including a robust, pressure-bearing outer pane, ensuring that passenger safety is never at risk, even in the unlikely event of a superficial or cosmetic component coming loose."
Sources from the airline said the plane landed in Pune around 7.53pm and then took off for Jaipur at 8.58pm, where it landed at 11.08 pm.
"The aircraft was checked thoroughly and repairs were done before the next take-off," an airline source said.
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