Shocking moment plane fills with smoke leaving terrified passengers unable to breathe properly for 25 minutes

PASSENGERS were left in a panic after a plane cabin began filling with smoke mid air, leaving them struggling to breath. Travellers were left gasping for air for around 25 minutes and claimed they were told to “start praying” during the chaotic incident onboard a SpiceJet flight from Goa, India. Jam Press/TIMThe SpiceJet aircraft was engulfed by smoke as terrified passengers gasped for air[/caption] Jam Press Vid/TIMEmergency services were waiting on the runway as the flight made an emergency landing[/caption] The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at Hyderabad Airport shortly after departure last Wednesday at around 11pm. One frantic woman could be heard shouting “bend down, stay down” as an alarm sounded in dramatic footage that captured the carnage. She is barely visible amid the terrifying haze that engulfed the cabin, but brandishes a torchlight to help her assist horrified passengers. Vivek Vishal, who was onboard flight SG 3735, claimed oxygen masks didn’t deploy despite the smoke filling the cabin and cockpit mid air. read more on mid air incidents HIT SCARE Brits left terrified as bird strike knocks out one of plane’s engines at 30,000ft FLIGHT FIGHT Shock brawl breaks out on plane as passengers feel like they're ‘going to die’ He fumed: “SpiceJet risks people’s life. We were choking for 25 minutes and even oxygen masks didn’t deploy. “Strict action should be taken against such a negligent airline.” Another alleged that cabin crew from the budget airline sparked further fear after telling people to “pray to God”. Srikanth Mulupala said: “The crew members told us to pray to God and pray for our families – it was mortifying. Most read in The Sun FAIER GAME Ferne McCann breaks silence amid voice note row saying ‘I confront difficulties' BBC HOST DEAD BBC presenter dies aged 61 as devastated colleagues share emotional tributes SHOW OF TRUSS Hunt warns of more 'difficult decisions' on Oct 31 as he & Truss face MPs meck-ing an effort Downcast Ryan Thomas & Lucy Meck pictured for 1st time since NTA drama HELPING HAND Six things those on Universal Credit can get for FREE this month ASH CLOUD BBC slammed for having Ashley Williams on as pundit just days after assault rap “Many of my co-passengers panicked and started shrieking.” A spokesperson for the airline denied these claims, branding them “unfounded” while adding that the crew followed appropriate protocol. But other travellers went on to allege that SpiceJet staff snatched phones from passengers recording the incident and demanded they deleted pictures and videos. The spokesperson said the crew “advised the passengers against using their mobiles” as it is their duty during emergency evacuations. Another said they had heard staff talking in “hushed tones” around 20 minutes before smoke flooded the cabin. They added: “We felt like choking. However, the lights were turned on and the crew asked us not to leave our seats and stop talking.” Further footage showed a fleet of emergency services waiting on the runway with wheelchairs ready to evacuate passengers. The crew members told us to pray to God and pray for our families – it was mortifying. Up to 86 people were said to be on board the budget airline’s flight from Goa during the emergency landing, which forced as many as nine flights to be diverted. Passengers were herded off the aircraft via an emergency exit, with one sustaining minor injuries while disembarking, according to India’s aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The regulator ordered a probe into the incident while revealing the findings of a preliminary investigation. It found engine oil in the engine bleed-off valve, leading to oil in the air-conditioning system, resulting in smoke in the cabin. SpiceJet have now been ordered to send oil samples to aircraft engine manufacturing giants Pratt & Whitney Canada for analysis. The airline was already in hot water with the DGCA following seven similar instances involving technical faults during flights this year, according to reports. Read More on The Sun BROKE HEART I’m a mum-of-seven & I’m starving myself so my kids can have hot school lunches BIG PICTURE Five changes to your TV settings can cut your energy bill and usage in half The firm is under enhanced supervision after a string of operational and financial controversies. The regulator also directed the airline to operate at only 50 per cent of its flight capacity and extended the arrangement by one more month till October. Jam Press Vid/TIMA woman was seen through the smoke brandishing a torch while helping passengers[/caption] Jam Press Vid/TIMUp to 86 people were said to be on board the jet during the chaos[/caption]