IndiGo flight to Guwahati returns to Pune after take-off; all 192 safe
Flight 6E 623, carrying 192 people, returned to Pune and landed safely after its landing gear failed to retract shortly after take-off, prompting airport authorities and the IAF to declare a full emergency
A Guwahati-bound IndiGo flight carrying 192 people returned to Pune airport on Sunday (November 15) morning after its landing gear failed to retract shortly after take-off, airport officials said.
Airport authorities and the Indian Air Force (IAF) declared a 'full emergency', mobilising fire and medical teams after the pilot of flight 6E 623 (VT-IZE) reported the technical snag. The aircraft touched down safely at 9.04 am following a low pass over the runway, officials said.
Emergency response activated
In a statement, Pune airport authorities said the pilot alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the aircraft's undercarriage had failed to retract and remained in the extended position.
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Airport officials immediately coordinated with ATC, IndiGo, and other relevant agencies, while the IAF, which manages the facility, activated all prescribed emergency response procedures. Fire services, ambulances, and emergency personnel were placed on high alert to safeguard passengers and crew.
As a precaution, the aircraft conducted a low pass over the runway to allow ground teams to visually inspect the landing gear before making its final approach.
Passengers safely deboarded
Upon landing, three firefighting vehicles and two ambulances escorted the plane to Bay No. 7 in line with standard safety protocols. Once ground teams confirmed the aircraft was in a safe condition, ATC withdrew the full emergency at 9.10 am.
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An aerobridge was subsequently connected to the aircraft, allowing all passengers to disembark safely.
"All 192 persons on board, including passengers and crew, were safe and no injuries were reported," the airport statement read. IndiGo arranged an alternate aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to facilitate the passengers' onward journey to Guwahati.
IndiGo’s statement
In a separate statement, IndiGo confirmed that flight 6E 623 returned to its origin after a technical snag was detected shortly after take-off. The airline noted that all relevant authorities were promptly informed in accordance with standard operating procedures, adding that the aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks and will resume operations once cleared.
The incident comes shortly after another IndiGo service, flight 6E 451 from Bengaluru to Lucknow, was forced to return to Kempegowda International Airport due to a hijack threat on November 8.
Carrying 178 passengers, the aircraft had departed Bengaluru at 5.50 pm when a passenger discovered a handwritten note in the lavatory reading, "This plane is going to get hijacked exactly at 06:30. Ignore and see the consequences." Upon being alerted by the passenger and cabin crew, the pilot notified ATC and diverted the flight back to Bengaluru as a precautionary measure.
(With agency inputs)