Sharjah Bound Air India Express Flight Lands In Trichy After Mid-Air Snag; Airline Responds, DGCA To Probe

Representational Image.

Air India Flight Emergency Landing: After reporting a hydraulic failure, an Air India Express flight that took off from Tiruchirappalli airport in Tamil Nadu landed safely. The latest developement comes after the flight declared a mid-air emergency over Tiruchirappalli on Friday evening following hydraulic failure. The aircraft was hovering over Trichy airspace.

The flight took off from Trichy airport for Sharjah at 5.43 pm but soon developed a technical snag. It had 140 passengers on board. Hydraulic failure in a flight occurs after the system that makes use of pressurized fluid to control important parts, like the landing gear, brakes, and flaps, stops working properly.

Following the safe landing, a spokesperson of Air India Express issued clarification and said that no emergency was declared by the operating crew and the cause of the snag will be duly investigated.

“We are aware of media reports related to an Air India Express flight operating on the Tiruchirappalli - Sharjah route. We would like to clarify that no emergency was declared by the operating crew. After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as an abundant precaution, to reduce fuel and weight considering the runway length, before making a safe precautionary landing. The cause of the snag will be duly investigated. In the interim, an alternative aircraft is being arranged for the onward journey of our guests," the Air India Express spokesperson said.

“We are aware of media reports related to an Air India Express flight operating on the Tiruchirappalli - Sharjah route. We would like to clarify that no emergency was declared by the operating crew. After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the… https://t.co/VecIJrmnwx pic.twitter.com/viiFTbTHtG

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

The Civil Aviation Ministry has said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will examine the AI Express plane to ascertain cause for hydraulic failure during its flight to Sharjah.

Minister Of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Issues Statement

On the technical problem in the Air India Express flight, Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu issued a statement. He said that during the emergency, the crew followed all safety protocols and ensured the well-being of every passenger.

"Following the hydraulic failure reported on Air India Express flight AXB 613, operating from Trichy to Sharjah with 141 people on board, we are relieved that the aircraft has landed safely at Trichy Airport. The crew followed all safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of every passenger during the emergency. The airport and emergency teams responded swiftly and effectively after a full emergency was declared at 18:05 IST. We commend their quick coordination in preparing for the aircraft's landing, which was successfully carried out at 20:15 IST..." the statement read.

On Air India Express Flight from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah, which faced a technical problem, Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation issued a statement.

"Following the hydraulic failure reported on Air India Express flight AXB 613, operating from Trichy to Sharjah with 141… pic.twitter.com/ag3Svj6UqP

— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024

Speaking to India Today before the landing, the Trichy District Collector said that the airport director conveyed there was no reason to worry and the flight would be able to land safely. The airport is making preparations for belly landing. It happens when a plane lands without using its landing gear.

Earlier, fuel dumping was being considered to make the plane lighter. However, it was not opted for as the plane is circling over residential areas. "As a precautionary measure, we have kept ambulances and rescue teams on standby," the District Collector said, according to the India Today report.