'Hydraulic line rupture may have caused fire on IndiGo flight'

The investigations into the recent fire on IndiGo plane are on even as the initial probe suggests rupture of the hydraulic line due to overheating as one of the causes of the incident.

An independent investigation panel under the Civil Aviation Ministry is also carrying out a parallel probe into the mishap, which occurred at Kathmandu International Airport early this month, sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation here said.

"Our investigation is still going on. But preliminary findings suggest the incident occurred due to overheating of the hydraulic line, resulting into the rupture," sources said here.

On March 8, 182 people onboard an IndiGo flight from New Delhi had a narrow escape when it caught fire immediately after landing at Kathmandu airport in Nepal.

"Due to the rupture, there was hydraulic fluid leak and that resulted in the incident. These are only preliminary findings and it will take a while before we come out with a detailed investigation report," they said.

Besides, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is also probing the fire incident, they said.

The AAIB was set up by the government in 2012 with a mandate to probe major aircraft accidents.