A Spicejet de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration VT-SUR performing flight SG-2962 from Delhi to Jabalpur (India), was climbing through 5000 feet out of Delhi when passengers noticed smoke in the cabin. Cabin crew reported mild smoke in the cabin to the flight crew, the lavatories were clear. The crew continued the climb when at 14000 feet the smoke intensified prompting the crew to return to Delhi for a safe landing. The aircraft was evacuated.
A replacement Dhas 8-400 registration VT-SQB reached Jabalpur with a delay of about 4 hours.
The airline reported passengers noticed smoke in the cabin at about 5000 feet, cabin crew informed the flight deck that the lavatories were clear and there was only mild smoke in the cabin. At 14000 feet the smoke intensified, the crew decided to return to Delhi, the aircraft was evacuated after landing. Preliminary findings suggest there was an oil leak at the left hand engine (PW150A) causing the smoke.