Cathay Pacific cargo flight aborts takeoff at Chennai Airport over safety concern

A mechanical issue caused an emergency runway stop at Chennai airport, forcing a Cathay Pacific cargo plane bound for Hong Kong to cancel departure. During the takeoff roll from Bay 8, the freighter, which was carrying five crew members and about 100 tonnes of cargo, encountered an engine problem. The pilot’s prompt action prevented a possible runway incident by bringing the airplane to a safe stop.

When the freighter started to take off from Chennai’s older terminal area, an unexpected engine issue was identified shortly after the takeoff roll began, and the pilot promptly aborted the maneuver. Emergency response procedures were started when the plane was safely stopped on the runway.

After quickly clearing the area, airport officials pulled the aircraft back to Bay 8 for technical evaluation. The problematic engine’s diagnostics and repairs were promptly started by the onboard engineers. The problem was fixed in two hours, and the plane was cleared for flight. Even though it was two hours late, the cargo freighter finally set out for Hong Kong with the entire load of commercial cargo and all five crew members. A critical situation was avoided by the crew’s prompt evaluation and controlled response, according to experts, who also noted that the prompt decision-making eliminated any risk to runway infrastructure or human life.

Emergency stops on runways are rare but critical interventions, especially in the case of heavy freighters that carry substantial payloads and fuel. The Chennai incident underscores the importance of pilot training and operational safety procedures in averting airborne or runway catastrophes. The aircraft’s engine failure did not result in fire, smoke, or loss of directional control—factors that could have escalated the situation. Authorities have since ordered a detailed technical investigation to understand the nature of the fault and prevent future occurrences. Senior airport officials noted that runways were cleared promptly and normal flight operations resumed without extended delays to other scheduled flights.

The event has also brought renewed focus on the readiness of emergency response infrastructure, which ensured swift towing, technical intervention, and incident documentation. Industry analysts have pointed out that such incidents, though safely managed, highlight the need for continuous oversight in air cargo operations given the growing volume of freight movement through Chennai.