A Saudia Airlines flight carrying 250 Hajj pilgrims encountered a technical snag with its landing gear upon arrival at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport early Sunday morning, officials told India Today TV.
The aircraft, flight SV 3112, had departed from Jeddah at 10.45 pm on Saturday and landed in Lucknow around 6.30 am on Sunday. Airport sources said smoke and sparks were observed coming from the plane’s left wheel shortly after landing.
The pilot immediately stopped the aircraft and alerted air traffic control. The plane was then pushed back and moved to the taxiway, where all passengers and crew members were deboarded safely.
The airport’s emergency response team quickly reached the spot and brought the situation under control within 20 minutes using foam and water. The glitch was later traced to a sudden hydraulic leak which had triggered the overheating of the wheel assembly.
Sources also said the problem could have led to a serious incident had it occurred during takeoff. The flight had brought Hajj pilgrims from Jeddah and was scheduled to return empty to Saudi Arabia.
