A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft, carrying 75 passengers, made an emergency landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on September 12 after it lost an outer wheel during departure from Kandla airport in Gujarat. Despite the mid-air scare, the aircraft landed without incident, and no injuries were reported.

Kandla ATC Spots Falling Object, Recovers Missing Wheel

The incident unfolded when air traffic controllers at Kandla observed an object drop from the plane shortly after takeoff. “The Kandla ATC saw something falling down immediately after the flight’s departure. They then told the pilot and sent the ATC jeep to fetch the fallen item,” an Airports Authority of India official said. The missing wheel and some metallic parts were later recovered from the runway.

Upon receiving the alert, Mumbai airport declared a full emergency around 3:50 PM, moments before the aircraft touched down. “An aircraft from Kandla made an emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) at 15:51 hrs on 12 September 2025 after reporting a technical issue. A full emergency was declared as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely on runway 27, and all passengers and crew are safe. Normal operations resumed shortly after,” the airport said in a statement.

SpiceJet Flight Completes Journey

The aircraft, a Bombardier Q400 turboprop, landed safely and taxied to the terminal without assistance. “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,” a SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed.

A video captured by a passenger showed the wheel detaching from the aircraft just before takeoff. “The wheel has fallen,” the passenger is heard repeating in the footage, which has since circulated on social media. SpiceJet later confirmed that the wheel belonged to the Q400 that departed from Kandla.