June 17 — A Saudia Airlines flight from Riyadh made an emergency landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow on Monday after sparks were detected coming from its landing gear during descent. All passengers and crew members are reported to be safe.
The flight, Saudia SV 894, was approaching Lucknow when airport authorities were alerted to a possible technical issue. Ground personnel reportedly observed sparks emanating from one of the aircraft’s wheels, prompting the air traffic control (ATC) to declare a full emergency and initiate safety procedures.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 298 passengers and 16 crew members, landed safely at approximately 9:30 AM IST. Emergency response teams, including fire and rescue units, were on standby and swiftly surrounded the aircraft upon touchdown. No fire or smoke was reported after landing.
Airport Director A.K. Sharma confirmed that the flight crew followed all safety protocols and ensured a safe landing despite the scare. “The pilot reported a possible issue with the wheel assembly, and a full emergency was declared as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers were deboarded without any injuries,” Sharma said.
Passengers recounted moments of concern as the pilot made an onboard announcement informing them of a technical issue and asking them to remain calm. “We felt a jolt during the landing but didn’t realize the seriousness until we saw emergency vehicles near the plane,” said one of the passengers.
Initial assessments suggest that the sparks may have resulted from a brake malfunction or overheating in the wheel mechanism. Engineers from Saudia Airlines are conducting a detailed inspection, and the aircraft has been moved to a remote bay for further examination. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause and verify safety compliance.
Video footage shared by onlookers showed smoke trailing the aircraft as it landed, but airport authorities quickly dispelled fears of a fire. The incident caused minor delays in airport operations for about 30 minutes, but normal flight services resumed shortly afterward.
This incident adds to a growing list of mid-air technical alerts faced by international carriers and highlights the importance of rigorous maintenance and emergency readiness. Aviation experts have praised the timely actions of both the airline crew and airport staff in managing the situation efficiently.
The DGCA is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days following a thorough inspection of the aircraft’s landing gear system.
