An Air India Express flight bound for Sharjah from Trichy experienced a technical issue shortly after takeoff on Friday evening, forcing the aircraft to circle in the sky for over two hours before landing. The flight, carrying 141 passengers, took off at 5:30 pm. However, the plane’s landing gear failed to retract, or fold, according to sources at Trichy airport. The aircraft was still airborne as of 8 pm, with sources saying that in such a scenario, the protocol is to circle the air space to decrease the fuel before attempting a landing. A little after 8 pm, the aircraft landed safely. Before the landing, emergency response efforts had been put in place, with 20 ambulances and fire services on standby at Trichy airport. Afterwards, an 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 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.” “We regret the inconvenience and reiterate our commitment to prioritising safety in every aspect of our operations,” the spokesperson said. According to sources, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was involved in monitoring the situation, and the airport was well-prepared to handle the situation. Meanwhile, the aviation regulator has been directed to conduct a thorough examination of the Air India Express plane to ascertain the cause of the glitch. In a statement, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the airport and emergency teams responded swiftly and effectively after a full emergency was declared at 1805 hours. The flight landed at 2015 hours. "The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been instructed to conduct a thorough examination of the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the hydraulic issue. In the meantime, Air India Express has been advised to provide all necessary assistance to the passengers, including alternate arrangements for their onward journey," Naidu said. In a tweet from the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan handle, Governor R N Ravi wrote, "Many thanks to the Captain and the Co-Pilot for the safe landing of flight IX613 from Tiruchirappalli to Sharjah after the landing gear glitch. The courage and calm professionalism of the cockpit and cabin crew truly shone during this trying and tense moment. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to everyone involved, including emergency services, for ensuring the safety of all on board. Wishing everyone smooth travels ahead."
