Why Did a Turkish Airlines Airbus A330 Make an Emergency Landing in Kolkata?

A Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-300 made an emergency landing. The flight diverted to Kolkata, India, on February 4, 2026. This followed a reported engine fire in the right engine. Flight THY727 was traveling from Kathmandu to Istanbul. All 236 people onboard were reported safe.

Emergency Response and Diversion

The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Kathmandu. The crew detected a malfunction during the climb phase. At 1:38 p.m. local time, the pilots issued a "PAN PAN" call. This is an international urgency signal. They requested an immediate diversion to Kolkata. The crew reported a right-engine fire. They were operating on a single engine.

Air traffic control at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport acted fast. They activated full emergency procedures. This is a standard protocol for such a serious aviation safety incident. The crew successfully used onboard suppression systems. The fire was brought under control mid-air by 1:51 p.m. The aircraft landed safely at Kolkata at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Pilot Emergency Procedure

The quick action by the flight crew was crucial. They followed established pilot emergency procedure. Modern twin-engine aircraft, like the Airbus A330, are designed for this. They can safely continue flight and land on one engine. This design redundancy is a core safety feature. It is a key part of aircraft maintenance protocols.

Investigation and Industry Impact

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is India's regulator. They have initiated a formal investigation. The focus will be on the aircraft engine malfunction. Investigators will examine the cause of the fire. The aircraft, registered as TC-LNG, is currently grounded in Kolkata.

• 236 people were safely evacuated after the landing.
• The crew issued a 'PAN PAN' call, signaling urgency but not immediate danger.
• The aircraft successfully landed on a single engine, demonstrating aircraft safety standards.

This event highlights the importance of crew training. It also stresses the reliability of full emergency declaration systems. The Kathmandu to Istanbul flight disruption is temporary. However, the DGCA probe will inform future commercial aviation news and safety mandates. The incident serves as a reminder of continuous safety scrutiny across the industry.

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