(MUMBAI) SpiceJet said a Bombardier Q400 carrying 75 people made an emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on September 12, 2025, after an outer wheel fell off during takeoff from Kandla Airport in Gujarat. The crew landed the aircraft safely at 3:51 pm on Runway 27. Passengers disembarked normally, and there were no injuries.
Mumbai airport briefly paused departures while fire and rescue teams stood by under a declared full emergency. Normal operations resumed shortly after.
What happened in flight and the immediate decisions
Kandla Air Traffic Control observed the wheel and associated metal rings detaching from the right rear landing gear during the initial climb and informed the cockpit immediately.
The pilots continued to Mumbai, which offers a longer runway and robust emergency services, and coordinated with Mumbai ATC for a priority landing. The aircraft then taxied to the terminal under its own power.
A passenger video showing the moment the wheel separated circulated widely, underscoring the gravity of the event and fueling nationwide debate about aircraft maintenance on regional routes.
“On September 12, an outer wheel of a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Kandla to Mumbai was found at the runway after take-off. The aircraft continued its journey to Mumbai and landed safely. Following a smooth landing, the aircraft taxied to the terminal under its own power, and all passengers disembarked normally.” — SpiceJet statement
Mumbai airport officials added that the emergency status was precautionary and stood down after the landing, with flight operations returning to schedule.
Official response and investigation
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) opened a formal probe. Investigators will review:
- Maintenance logs
- Recent inspections
- Any prior reports tied to the wheel assembly on this aircraft type
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has been informed, and authorities are treating the episode as a serious safety matter. The DGCA’s public portal provides updates on regulatory actions and safety directives; readers can track official notices at the DGCA’s website: Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Technical context — why this could have been worse
Aviation specialists note the Bombardier Q400’s dual-wheel design on each main landing gear likely prevented a far worse outcome. With one wheel lost, the remaining wheel of the pair can still support landing loads if managed carefully. Even so, experts called a wheel-detachment in flight a major failure and urged an immediate review of:
- Inspection routines
- Torque checks on wheel fasteners
- Quality control across the supply chain for tires and hubs
Former airline operations leaders said the decision to proceed to Mumbai—rather than attempt a return to Kandla—matched standard safety thinking: pilots prefer a longer runway, better firefighting coverage, and more medical capability when landing with a compromised gear configuration.
Passenger experience and airport operations
Passengers on board remained calm, according to accounts shared after landing. Cabin crew prepared for a potential heavy landing and reviewed brace positions, but there was no panic.
- Buses transported passengers to the terminal after the aircraft shut down at the stand.
- Families waiting in Mumbai reported short delays before meeting relatives, reflecting the airport’s temporary pause in departures while emergency teams took positions.
For Mumbai airport, the emergency showed a system that can swing into action fast: controllers spaced out departures, fire crews took positions, and medical staff stood by. The pause lasted roughly 45 minutes, according to airport sources, before regular flow returned.
Timeline of recent related events for the carrier
This incident comes amid a run of recent technical scares linked to the carrier:
- September 11, 2025: Delhi–Kathmandu service reported a suspected tailpipe fire during start-up and returned to the bay for checks.
- August 29, 2025: A flight diverted to Srinagar due to pressurization concerns.
- July 2025: A window frame detachment was reported on a Goa–Pune sector.
Taken together, these events have sharpened public focus on maintenance standards, internal audits, and oversight for high-frequency regional fleets.
Possible regulatory and operational consequences
Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests repeated technical events can trigger:
- More frequent spot checks by regulators
- Tighter document reviews of line maintenance
- Targeted audits of parts traceability
Industry watchers say the DGCA may order additional inspections on certain aircraft types or specific landing gear assemblies while the investigation proceeds. Those steps can ripple through airline schedules:
- Aircraft pulled from service for checks
- Rebookings and missed connections for passengers
- Longer wait times during peak travel windows
Why travelers should care — practical impacts
For travelers—especially those with tight international links or time-bound documents—operational ripples matter. A missed onward flight could affect visa conditions or entry where timing is strict.
Recommended precautions:
- Keep at least a 3-hour buffer for domestic-to-international connections; allow more time if traveling with checked bags.
- Download the airline app for faster rebooking and gate updates.
- Ask the airline for a written delay confirmation when a disruption occurs; keep boarding passes and receipts.
- If traveling on a time-limited visa or with a fixed appointment, carry documents showing the original schedule and any rebooked flights.
Clear documentation from carriers can help explain late arrivals to border officers; immigration decisions remain case-by-case.
Technical follow-up and root-cause checks
Engineers will now examine the wheel, hub, and axle to determine whether the separation was due to:
- Mechanical failure
- Installation issue
- Material defect
Investigators typically review recent tire changes, wheel swaps, and maintenance events that touched the landing gear. They will also compare torque settings, locking mechanisms, and visual inspection records to identify missed warning signs like unusual vibration, heat marks, or small leaks.
If a supplier problem or part-fatigue pattern emerges, regulators can issue directives for fleetwide checks.
Maintenance pressures on regional turboprops
Regional turboprops like the Q400 log many short hops each day, with frequent takeoffs and landings that stress the landing gear more than long-haul cycles. That pattern demands:
- Tight component inspection schedules
- Quick but exacting maintenance during brief ground turns
- Step-by-step procedures with second checks and sign-offs
Safety experts emphasize carriers must invest in:
- Training and supervision
- Tool calibration
- A culture that encourages speaking up when something looks or feels off
Customer care and consequences for passengers
SpiceJet’s handling of customer care after the landing will matter. Useful responses include:
- Quick refunds or fee waivers for missed connections
- Meal vouchers during waits
- Clear status updates and written confirmations for travelers needing evidence for visas or appointments
Prompt airline responses can mean the difference between a short delay and a major life disruption for those heading to visa interviews, medical treatments, or school intakes.
What to expect next
- The DGCA’s root-cause analysis will determine whether this was isolated or part of a wider maintenance pattern.
- If audits expand or parts checks take aircraft out of rotation, carriers will revise schedules and deploy spares to cover critical routes.
- Business travelers, students, and families should plan extra buffer time and consider travel insurance covering missed connections due to operational events.
Friday’s incident is a reminder that safety systems can work as designed—crew training, aircraft redundancy, and airport readiness combined to protect 75 lives. But it is also a warning: a wheel should not separate during takeoff. The investigation’s findings will signal how India’s aviation system balances growth in regional air travel with the attention to detail that safe operations demand.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 12, 2025, a SpiceJet Bombardier Q400 with 75 people lost an outer wheel during takeoff from Kandla. Kandla ATC reported the detached wheel to the cockpit; pilots proceeded to Mumbai for a priority landing at 3:51 pm on Runway 27. The aircraft taxied to the terminal under its own power; all passengers disembarked without injuries. Mumbai briefly declared a full emergency and paused departures while fire and rescue teams stood by; normal operations resumed after roughly 45 minutes. India’s DGCA launched a formal probe focusing on maintenance logs, recent inspections, and wheel assembly records. Experts noted the Q400’s dual-wheel design likely averted a worse outcome but called for reviews of inspection routines, torque checks, and supply-chain quality. The event comes amid other recent technical incidents involving SpiceJet and may prompt targeted audits, more frequent regulator spot checks, and operational consequences like aircraft groundings and schedule changes. Travelers are advised to allow larger connection buffers and secure written confirmations for disruptions affecting visas or appointments.
