Passengers aboard a SpiceJet flight from Goa to Pune experienced an alarming moment mid-air on July 1, when a window frame popped out about 30 minutes after takeoff. As the incident sparked concern, the airline clarified that the dislodged part was not integral to the integrity of the aircraft and that passenger safety was never compromised.

The flight was delayed before takeoff

Flight SG-1080, which departed at 6:55 pm over an hour later than scheduled, faced the issue shortly after reaching cruising altitude.

A passenger on the flight, Mandar Sawant, told The Indian Express, “I was travelling back from Goa to Pune after attending an event. A woman was sitting behind me, and she was with a baby. Half an hour after takeoff, the window (close to her) just popped out. The woman got scared and it was damn concerning. There is a protective layer behind the window that protects us from the elements outside, and it was intact, but it is still concerning. This is not done.”

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Cabin Crew’s Response

Cabin crew quickly responded by trying to calm the passengers down and relocated the woman and child to another seat. Sawant added that while a flight attendant managed to put the panel back in place, it remained unstable and could have come loose again with any movement.

The incident gained wider attention when a video showing the dislodged panel surfaced on the social media platform X. The passenger who posted it questioned whether the aircraft was safe to fly, especially as it was scheduled to head to Jaipur next. The user also tagged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), asking for better inspection.

Adding to passenger concerns, some said the same aircraft had been delayed the previous day due to unspecified “technical issues.” They also complained about a lack of timely updates from the airline regarding rescheduling or maintenance alerts.

SpiceJet Clarifies: ‘Non-Structural Trim, No Cabin Pressure Loss’

In an official statement, SpiceJet said the component that came loose was a superficial trim that was only there to provide shade and posed no safety threat to passengers. “It was a cosmetic window frame, not linked to the aircraft’s structure or pressurisation. Passenger safety was never at risk,” the airline said, adding that the frame was secured upon landing under standard maintenance procedures.

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“The Q400 aircraft is equipped with multiple layers of window panes, including a robust, pressure-bearing outer pane, ensuring that passenger safety is never at risk, even in the unlikely event of a superficial or cosmetic component coming loose,” the airline added