Smoke in cabin: Air India flight makes emergency landing in Kochi

An Air India 901 Kochi-Kozhikode-Riyadh flight with 197 passengers and 12 crew which left the airport here early today made an emergency landing at Kochi airport after smoke was noticed in the cabin, airport sources said.

The smoke was noticed shortly after the flight left for Riyadh from Kozhikode 0635 hrs.

About thirty minutes after take off from Kozhikode airport, smoke was noticed and the pilot immediately diverted the flight to Kochi airport and landed safely in full emergency at 0820 hrs.

The passengers panicked as the smell of smoke enveloped the cabin.

The passengers have been shifted to nearby hotel.

Air India sources said the flight has been grounded, and a relief flight will be arranged by this evening to take the passengers to Riyadh.

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft could have had some engine trouble, AI sources said.

As soon as the smoke alarm went off inside the cockpit, the pilots decided to bring the aircraft to kochi.

One of the passengers in the flight, said there was heavy smoke in the aircraft, The airconditioner was not functioning and the passengers panicked.

AI sources said efforts are on to bring another flight from Mumbai to take the passengers to Riyadh by this evening.