Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Tension gripped passengers onboard IndiGo’s flight 6E-813 on Monday afternoon when a technical snag in aircraft’s landing gear forced it to circle above the city for nearly 25 minutes before making a safe emergency landing at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport.
The flight, carrying 140 passengers, took off from Goa at 3:14 pm, slightly behind its scheduled departure time of 2:40 pm. However, moments before the scheduled landing, a warning light in the cockpit alerted the pilot to a problem with the aircraft’s hydraulic system, which supports the functioning of the landing gear.
Realising seriousness of the issue, pilot immediately informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower in Indore of the fault and sought permission for an emergency landing, citing an undercarriage system issue.
Within minutes, a full emergency was declared at the airport. Fire tenders were lined up along the runway, ambulances were summoned, and emergency staff took their positions, ready for any eventuality.
Up in the air, the aircraft began to circle the city, giving the crew time to assess the situation and burn excess fuel. For the passengers inside, every passing minute added to the unease. The cabin crew moved through the aisles offering quiet reassurance and double-checking seatbelts.
After nearly 25 tense minutes in the sky, the aircraft finally made its approach and landed safely at around 4:20 pm. The relief inside the cabin was immediate—clapping, tears, and whispered thanks filled the space as the aircraft rolled to a halt.
“All emergency protocols were followed. Thankfully, the aircraft landed safely,” confirmed Vipin Kant Seth, Director of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. He said the pilot had reported a hydraulic system issue linked to the landing gear, which led to the emergency being declared. IndiGo regrets inconvenience caused to passengers, said airlines spokesperson
This incident comes just 13 days after another IndiGo flight—6E-7295, departing from Indore to Raipur—was forced to return mid-air due to a technical fault discovered shortly after takeoff.
