AirAsia jet engine fails before takeoff in Surabaya

An AirAsia jet’s engine failed just before its take off from the Indonesian city of Surabaya and the 120 passengers on board were asked to disembark.

The plane had been taxiing at the Juanda International Airport before takeoff when the engine suddenly died, horrifying passengers, who heard a loud sound, Metro TV reported.

The Bandung-bound plane made it back to the gate and the 120 passengers on board were then asked to disembark while the plane underwent repairs, the report said.

“The plane was ready and moved, but suddenly a loud sound was heard, the sound of the engine disappeared and the plane moved backwards. We were shocked and panicked. The plane was then pulled back to where it parked and we were asked by the stewardess to leave the plane,” passenger Yusuf Fitriadi was quoted as saying.

The plane was supposed to have departed at 9 pm (local time) on Saturday.

Mr. Yusuf said that the airline later told passengers that the flight would be resumed after the issue had been attended to, but about 90 per cent of them refused to re-board the plane, fearing that the fault would reoccur during the flight.