<p>A full emergency was declared at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport early Tuesday morning after a <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-full-emergency-declared-at-mumbai-airport-after-spicejet-aircraft-lands-with-missing-wheel-23593718" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Leh-bound SpiceJet</a> flight reported a mid-air engine failure.</p>
<p>Flight SG-121, carrying approximately 150 passengers, immediately turned back to the national capital just minutes after departure due to a malfunction in its number two engine.</p>
<p>"SpiceJet 121 Delhi&ndash;Leh experienced a problem shortly after departure from Delhi and returned to <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/delhi-bound-air-ambulance-carrying-seven-people-from-ranchi-crashes-near-jharkhands-simaria-23617997?mumbai-mumbai-news-article-breakingnews" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Delhi Airport</a> instead of continuing to Leh. Approximately 150 passengers were on board. The emergency was caused by a failure of engine number two," ANI sources said.</p>
<p>Further details are awaited.</p>
<h2>Citizens react amid rising aviation concerns across India</h2>
<p>Many citizens on X have expressed growing concern over <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/jharkhan-air-ambulance-crash-all-seven-onboard-die-in-redbird-airways-tragedy-taken-for-post-mortem-in-chatra-23618071" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">air travel safety in India</a>, highlighting an increase in technical issues and incidents.</p>
<p>One user stated, &ldquo;We should seriously halt air travel for a few days and have airlines thoroughly check their planes. Too many near misses and crashes have been reported in recent months. It is making air travel scary for passengers. At this point, it feels like we are just waiting for another mishap to happen.&rdquo;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We should seriously halt air travel for a few days and get airlines to check their planes thoroughly. Too many near misses and crashes have been reported in recent months. It is making air travel scary for passengers. Because at this point, it seems we are just waiting for&hellip;</p>
&mdash; Saurav Choudhury (@sauravv123) <a href="https://twitter.com/sauravv123/status/2026163549643686126?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recalling the Ajit Pawar air crash, another user said, &ldquo;Aviation safety in India is hitting a new low! Recently, a private jet carrying Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar crashed, and now we hear daily reports of maintenance issues with SpiceJet and IndiGo planes. Stricter norms for aircraft maintenance are urgently needed to protect lives!&rdquo;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Aviation safety in India is hitting to a new low! With recently a private jet carrying Dy CM Maharashtra Ajit Pawar crashed &amp; now everyday we hear news of maintenance issue with Spicejet, Indigo planes!<br /><br />We need stricter norms for Aircraft Maintenance to protect loss of life!</p>
&mdash; The Neutral Guy (@politicalgoon) <a href="https://twitter.com/politicalgoon/status/2026171144643244225?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p>A third user took a humorous yet serious jab at the aviation authorities: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s better to travel by bus. I&rsquo;d rather travel to Leh by road than take a plane.&rdquo;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Main toh ab bus se hi Leh jaungi bhai&hellip; yeh engine wala serial roz ka episode ban gaya hai. Everyone safe hai na bas yahi dua..</p>
&mdash; Mahak Gupta (@_themahakgupta) <a href="https://twitter.com/_themahakgupta/status/2026168767286522257?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<p>These reactions reflect the declining trust of citizens in the Aviation Ministry of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). With frequent reports of technical snags and occasional crashes, people are increasingly concerned about <a href="mid-day.com/news/india-news/photo/in-photos-families-mourn-victims-of-redbird-airways-air-ambulance-crash-in-jharkhand-109798" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">mid-air incidents</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Engine failures have become too common now<a href="https://twitter.com/DGCAIndia?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@DGCAIndia</a> must order complete audit of entire fleets of every domestic air carrier</p>
&mdash; Gautam Agarwal ?? (@gauagg) <a href="https://twitter.com/gauagg/status/2026157345764688142?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
<p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/DGCAIndia?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@DGCAIndia</a> Whats happening in overall aviation sector ?</p>
&mdash; Dinesh Kudache ✸ (@dineshkudache) <a href="https://twitter.com/dineshkudache/status/2026171691924406619?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">February 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
<p>
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</p>
<p>Incidents such as the Ajit Pawar air crash in Pune&rsquo;s Baramati and the recent <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/jharkhand-air-ambulance-crash-council-of-indian-aviation-expresses-condolences-after-redbird-airways-tragedy-23618062" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jharkhand air ambulance crash</a>, which killed seven people, have raised serious questions about aviation safety. Citizens are now calling on the DGCA for a thorough investigation and urging authorities not to risk anyone&rsquo;s life.</p>
<p><strong>(With ANI inputs)</strong></p>

SpiceJet flight SG-121 returned to Delhi after mid-air engine failure, carrying 150 passengers. Citizens call DGCA probe amid rising aviation safety in India

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A Leh-bound SpiceJet flight SG-121 returned to Delhi after a mid-air engine failure, carrying around 150 passengers. Citizens urge the DGCA to investigate amid rising aviation safety concerns

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