Mumbai-Bhubaneswar Air India flight returns to airport after smoke detected in cockpit

A Mumbai-Bhubaneswar Air India flight carrying 155 passengers onboard was forced to return to the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport after its crew detected smoke in the cockpit. The aircraft made a safe landing. All the passengers are also safe, an Air India spokesperson in New Delhi said. 

According to Air India, its flight AI 669 took off from Mumbai at 2.15pm but soon its pilot sought an emergency landing as he detected smoke in the cockpit. The flight returned to Mumbai safely at 2.50pm with full emergency procedure in place.

The aircraft is now grounded. A team from the engineering department is inspecting it, the spokesperson said.

Air India has made available an alternative aircraft to take the stranded passengers to their destination, he said, adding that the flight is expected to take off for Bhubaneswar soon.

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