Another 'Mayday' episode causes more jitters in Indian aviation
A Guwahati-to-Chennai
IndiGo
flight carrying 168 passengers had to make an emergency landing at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru on Thursday night, news agencies reported on June 21 citing sources.
The forced landing came after the captain issued a 'Mayday' distress signal, citing critically low fuel levels, the sources reportedly informed.
The details of the incident remain unclear as the airline has reportedly not given any confirmation on the same yet.
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According to a Times of India report, IndiGo's flight 6E-6764, operated by an Airbus A321 that departed Guwahati at 4:40 p.m., tried to land in Chennai at approximately 7:45 p.m. However, after the aircraft's landing gear made contact with the runway, the pilot initiated a maneuver known as a 'balked landing' or go-around.
A source with direct knowledge of the situation told ToI that the
Mayday call
was transmitted when the aircraft was roughly 35 nautical miles away from Bengaluru.
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According to the source, the approach to Chennai seemed improperly stabilised. The sharp and abrupt ascent after the aborted landing startled many on board; several passengers appeared fearful, one traveler who preferred to remain unnamed told the newspaper.
Staff at airport operations and air traffic control (ATC) verified that no further attempt was made to land in Chennai. Instead, the pilot diverted the aircraft toward Bengaluru. KIA officials stated that the distress signal prompted immediate action by the ATC, who coordinated with ground services. Firefighters and medical teams were readied in anticipation of the aircraft's arrival.
The plane touched down safely at Bengaluru at 8:20 p.m. One insider mentioned that both pilots were subsequently removed from active duty, though IndiGo declined to officially comment on the matter. The airline attributed the diversion to air traffic congestion at Chennai Airport — a reason that ATC officials in Chennai reportedly rubbished.
Sources suggested the aircraft may not have been carrying the required minimum amount of diversion fuel after the go-around, ToI's report said. IndiGo neither confirmed nor denied that a Mayday transmission had been made by the flight crew.
Once on the ground in Bengaluru, the passengers were informed that the plane would proceed to Chennai post-refueling. A fresh crew was assigned to operate the subsequent leg, which arrived in Chennai at 11:25 p.m.
Air operations in India are currently in the eye of a storm following the deadly Ahmedabad
Air India crash
, with all kinds of aviation-related matters being followed closely.
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