A major tragedy was averted on Monday after a SpiceJet plane overshot the runway at Shirdi airport in Maharashtra while landing.

The plane reportedly skidded off the runway after landing at the regional airport today. Operations at the airport will be delayed for quite some time due to the minor mishap that occurred around 4:30 pm.

All the passengers on board the flight had a narrow escape as the flight was brought under control in time. The exact number of passengers could not be determined immediately.

Both pilots operating the Boeing 737 aircraft have been suspended with immediate effect after the error. DGCA has also dispatched an official to conduct an initial probe in the matter.

A full-fledged investigation will be conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

While passengers and crew members were safe, sources told news agency PTI that all people on board the plane were trapped for over two-and-a-half hours.

The PTI report added that the aircraft touched down some 30-40 meters away from the landing spot and veered off the runway.

The source added that the incident led to a complete halting of operations at the airport that mostly serves pilgrims visiting the popular Hindu shrine in the city.

A SpiceJet spokesperson has confirmed the incident, adding that the passengers were deplaned through a normal procedure.