In a bizarre incident, a passenger on a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru found himself trapped inside the aircraft’s lavatory for over an hour due to a malfunctioning door lock. The ordeal took place on SpiceJet flight SG-268, originally scheduled for a 10:55 pm departure from Mumbai on Monday but delayed until 2 am on Tuesday.
The passenger, who entered the lavatory after the seat belt sign went off following takeoff, was unable to open the door and remained stuck throughout the flight’s duration. The SpiceJet crew attempted to assist by passing a note to the passenger through a gap in the door, explaining the situation and advising him not to panic.
The note read, “Sir, we tried our best to open the door. However, we could not open. Do not panic, we are landing in a few minutes. So please the commode lid and sit on it and secure yourself. As soon as the main door is open, the engineer will come. Do not panic.”
SpiceJet apologises to the passenger
Upon landing in Bengaluru post 3 am, technicians were able to open the lavatory door, providing immediate medical support to the passenger. SpiceJet expressed regret over the incident and assured that the passenger received assistance throughout the journey.
SpiceJet, in an official statement, said, “SpiceJet regrets and apologizes for the inconvenience caused to the passenger. Throughout the journey, our crew provided assistance and guidance to the passenger.” The airline has promised a full refund to the affected passenger.
DGCA investigates the incident
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the SpiceJet toilet incident, an official told news agency PTI. The official suggested that the incident might be attributed to a maintenance issue or another underlying cause. The regulator is exploring all potential factors, the official further mentioned.
This unusual incident has raised concerns about passenger safety and the need for stringent checks on aircraft maintenance to prevent such incidents in the future. The investigation by DGCA is expected to shed light on the root cause of the malfunctioning lavatory door lock.