The aircraft (flight BG 661), which was to leave Zia International Airport (ZIA) at 8:35am for Jessore, was taxing down the runway when its engine suddenly collapsed with a bang, sources said.

Panic-stricken passengers were soon rushed out of the plane. The aircraft was shifted to the engineering hanger complex at ZIA after repeated attempts of the pilots at restarting the engine failed.

Admitting the engine hiccup, a Biman official said the F28 aircraft was repaired and it was operated on the Dhaka-Jessore route later on the day.

"It was a minor engine problem and it could be repaired easily," he said. "A sudden burst of gusty wind over ZIA might have led to the engine failure."

Biman bought two 26-year-old F-28 aircraft from an Indonesian company at a cost of $2.91 million. The pair joined the Biman fleet on May 26.

The other F28 however had a smooth sail in its maiden trip to Sylhet on Thursday.