Smoke Scare Delays Dubai-Bound Flight At Chennai Airport

A Dubai-bound Emirates flight, carrying 280 passengers, was delayed late Tuesday night after smoke was spotted emanating from the wing portion of the aircraft just before takeoff. The incident occurred at 9:15 pm, causing anxiety among passengers and airport personnel alike.

Flight EK547, operated by a Boeing 777-300 (registration A6-ECZ), was in the process of being refueled when the smoke was detected. Airport officials were immediately alerted by the flight crew, prompting an emergency response. Fire tenders swiftly arrived on the scene, and technical experts were called in to inspect the plane.

According to officials, the smoke ceased within 10 minutes of being reported. While the cause of the smoke was initially unclear, it was later suggested that heat generated by an overfilled fuel tank may have caused a spillover, leading to the issue. Firefighters were able to safely manage the situation without further complications.

The passengers, who had not yet boarded, were deplaned as a precaution. Despite the scare, no injuries were reported, and the flight is expected to depart with a delay, rescheduled to leave Chennai International Airport (MAA) at around 12:30 AM.

The incident serves as a reminder of the thorough safety protocols in place, which were swiftly executed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.