Pune: A Guwahati-bound IndiGo flight with 192 people on board returned to Pune airport Sunday morning after its landing gear failed to retract shortly after take-off, airport officials said.
Airport authorities and the Indian Air Force (IAF) declared a “full emergency”, mobilising fire and medical teams after the pilot of flight 6E 623 (VT-IZE) reported the snag.
The aircraft touched down safely at 9.04 am following a low pass over the runway, officials said.
The pilot informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the aircraft’s landing gear (undercarriage) failed to retract and remained in the extended position, the Pune airport authorities said in a statement.
Following the alert, airport authorities immediately coordinated with the ATC, IndiGo and other agencies concerned, while the Indian Air Force (IAF), which manages the facility, activated all prescribed emergency response procedures, they said.
Fire services, ambulances and other emergency response teams were placed on high alert to deal with any eventuality and ensure the safety of passengers and crew, the statement said.
As a precautionary measure, the aircraft conducted a low pass over the runway to allow for a visual assessment of its landing gear before landing safely, officials said.
Following the landing, the aircraft was escorted to Bay No. 7 by three firefighting vehicles and two ambulances as part of the prescribed emergency response procedures.
After confirming that the aircraft was in a safe and normal condition, the ATC withdrew the full emergency at 9.10 am, officials said.
Subsequently, the aerobridge was connected to the aircraft and all passengers were safely deboarded.
“All 192 persons on board, including passengers and crew, were safe and no injuries were reported,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, IndiGo arranged an alternate aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to facilitate the onward journey of the affected passengers to Guwahati, it added.
The airline, in a statement, said flight 6E 623, operating from Pune to Guwahati, returned to origin and landed safely at Pune International Airport after a technical snag was detected shortly after take-off.
All relevant authorities were immediately informed in line with standard operating procedures, the airline said, adding that the aircraft is undergoing maintenance checks and will resume operations after securing necessary clearances.