Air India Express flight landed safely at Tiruchi airport after mid-air technical issue on October 11, 2024.
On October 11, 2024, an Air India Express flight experienced a technical glitch shortly after taking off from Tiruchi airport, but passengers remained unaware of the situation for nearly two hours. According to passenger A. Shahul Hameed, the crew only informed them about the issue 30 minutes prior to the emergency landing.
The announcement concerned passengers, leading to a tense atmosphere onboard as they learned of the emergency shortly before landing, Mr. Hameed shared upon safely arriving back in Tiruchi. This marked his first encounter with such a situation during a flight.
Anxious relatives of passengers rushed to the airport upon hearing the news of the mid-air incident, with many learning about it through news broadcasts. Abu Dahir, a family member of a passenger, expressed concern after realizing the gravity of the situation.
Once the aircraft landed safely, passengers and their families felt immediate relief. Passengers attempted to contact their loved ones to confirm their well-being, noted Mr. Hameed.
Govindarajan, the Airport Director, confirmed that the flight took off at approximately 5:40 p.m. The pilot reported a hydraulic failure to the Air Traffic Control around 6:05 p.m. To ensure a safe emergency landing, the pilot proceeded to jettison fuel.
All relevant authorities, including local administration and emergency services, were alerted about the situation. Fire tenders and ambulances were dispatched to the airport according to standard procedure, Mr. Govindarajan stated.
The flight made a normal landing at around 8:15 p.m. with all passengers unharmed, as per reports. The State Health Department had prepared for any emergencies by mobilizing a team of doctors and activating a fleet of ambulances, including 25 stationed outside the airport.
An alternate flight has been scheduled for the morning of October 12, 2024, to assist passengers in continuing their journeys.
A senior official from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation is set to arrive at Tiruchi airport to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
Published – October 12, 2024 12:45 am IST
