RIYADH. 19 September 2003 — A Saudi Arabian Airlines 747 aircraft, which was grounded at the south Indian city of Chennai after a bird strike on Monday, landed safely at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah on Wednesday. An engine was damaged as the jet “suffered the bird hit” before landing at the airport of the Indian city of Chennai.
The incident occurred as the wide-bodied aircraft was on its final approach to Chennai airport, travel industry and airport sources said here yesterday. The pilot got an indication on the cockpit panel of “the engine flaming out” and of a sudden increase in temperature. This prompted him to make a safe precautionary landing. However, two attempts to re-start the engine after touchdown failed. An alternative aircraft was brought in to transport the stranded passengers on their return journey from Chennai to Jeddah.
Meanwhile, another separate cargo jet flew down to Chennai, carrying a new engine to replace the damaged one.
The Saudi-India sector has been one of the most profitable sectors for Saudia, which has been consistently increasing its flight frequencies to Indian destinations.
All passengers, mostly Indian expatriate workers on board the flight are reported safe. Though there was a panic at the Indian airport after landing, the situation was brought under control immediately.
