Air India Express Flight IX613 from Trichy to Sharjah landed safely after facing a technical issue involving hydraulic failure and rounding in air space to burn off the fuel at Tiruchirappalli airport in Tamil Nadu on Friday. All passengers were also safe.
Reports indicate that the problem arose from a malfunction in the landing gear during take-off, leading the pilot to return. The Boeing 737-800 was releasing fuel before landing, and all standard operating procedures (SOPs) at the airport were strictly followed.
According to news agency ANI, Airport Director Gopalakrishnan stated that over 20 ambulances and fire tenders were deployed at the site to prevent any major incidents.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) closely monitored the situation, confirming that the landing gear was functioning. The flight landed normally, with the airport placed on high alert as a precaution.
As per PTI, police also stated that fire tenders, rescue personnel, and ambulances were rushed to the airport.
Tiruchirapalli To Sharjah Air India Express Flight: DGCA To Probe Cause Of Hydraulic Failure
Aviation regulator DGCA stated that it would conduct a thorough examination of the Air India Express plane that suffered a hydraulic failure to ascertain the cause of the glitch. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu stated the airport and emergency teams responded swiftly and effectively after a full emergency was declared at 6:05 PM.
"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.
Extending compliments to the Captain and crew for their successful landing, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin said in a post on X, " I am heartened to hear that the #AirIndiaExpress flight has landed safely. Upon receiving news of the landing gear issue, I immediately coordinated an emergency meeting with officials over the phone and instructed them to implement all necessary safety measures, including deploying fire engines, ambulances, and medical assistance."
"I have also now directed the District Collector to ensure the continued safety of all the passengers and to provide further assistance. My compliments to the Captain and crew for the safe landing," he added.
As per a report of NDTV, the flight, carrying 144 passengers, took off at 5:40 PM and reported a technical issue shortly after departure. The pilots were instructed to return, but since attempting a precautionary landing with a full fuel load was deemed unsafe, they circled the airport to burn off some fuel.
The aircraft remained airborne for over two and a half hours before safely landing at 8:15 PM. Concerns regarding the landing gear began to surface around 7:50 PM, leading Tiruchirappalli airport to prepare for an emergency landing, with several ambulances on standby.
By 8 PM, airport authorities confirmed that the plane was hovering around Tiruchirappalli to reduce fuel, and flight tracking site Flight Radar indicated that the aircraft remained in the same vicinity for approximately two hours.
