Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Nov 15: An IndiGo flight from Pune to Guwahati, carrying 192 passengers and crew members, made an emergency landing at Pune Airport on Sunday morning after developing a technical snag shortly after take-off.

The aircraft's landing gear failed to retract and remained extended, prompting the pilot to alert Air Traffic Control (ATC).

IndiGo flight 6E 0623 (VT-IZE) reported the technical issue soon after departing from Pune Airport. Following the alert, airport authorities coordinated with ATC, IndiGo and other agencies to initiate emergency procedures.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) declared a full emergency at the airport. Fire tenders, ambulances and other emergency response teams were placed on standby.

As a precaution, the aircraft made a low pass over the runway to allow a visual inspection of the landing gear. It subsequently landed safely at 9.04 am.

After landing, the aircraft was escorted to bay number 7 with the assistance of three fire tenders and two ambulances. Once its condition was confirmed to be safe, the full emergency was withdrawn at 9.10 am.

An aerobridge was connected to the aircraft, and all 192 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported.

IndiGo is arranging an alternative aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to enable the affected passengers to continue their journey to Guwahati.

The airline said Pune Airport authorities, in coordination with the IAF, ATC and emergency response agencies, ensured a prompt and coordinated response, prioritising the safety of passengers and crew.

In a separate incident on November 7, an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Lucknow returned to Kempegowda International Airport after a handwritten hijack threat note was found in the aircraft's lavatory shortly after take-off. The pilots returned to Bengaluru in accordance with safety protocols, and the authorities initiated the necessary security checks.