IndiGo Guwahati-Pune Flight Declares Full Emergency After Landing Gear Fails to Retract

IndiGo flight 6E 0623 from Guwahati to Pune landed safely at Pune Airport at around 9am on November 15 after its landing gear failed to retract after take-off, with all 192 people on board safe and no injuries reported. The Times of India reported that a full emergency was declared at the airport.

How the Pune Emergency Unfolded

The pilot told Air Traffic Control that the aircraft's landing gear, or undercarriage, had failed to retract after take-off and remained in the extended position. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said the Indian Air Force declared a full emergency, after which fire services, ambulance services and other emergency response teams were placed on high alert.

"The Indian Air Force (IAF) declared a Full Emergency, following which all prescribed emergency response procedures were promptly activated," Dhoke said. As a precaution, the aircraft made a low pass over the runway so the landing gear could be assessed visually before it landed.

After landing, three fire-fighting vehicles and two ambulances escorted the aircraft to Bay 7. ATC withdrew the full emergency at 9.10am once the aircraft was confirmed safe, the aerobridge was connected and all passengers were deboarded. IndiGo is arranging an alternate aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune for the passengers' onward journey to Guwahati.

IndiGo's Scale Across Indian Skies

IndiGo is India's largest passenger airline by domestic market share, flying more than 2,000 daily flights to over 80 domestic and 30 international destinations, according to akta.pro company records. The airline was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Haryana.

The same records list Pieter Elbers as chief executive officer, with Willie Walsh named as incoming chief executive. IndiGo's stated goal is to reach approximately 3,000 daily flights by FY2030.

Earlier Disruptions for IndiGo

Two days before the Pune landing, the Times of India reported that IndiGo cancelled two flights from Ahmedabad, including a Nashik-bound flight 6E 7114 an hour before departure, stranding passengers during Diwali travel. On the same day, the outlet reported that a tissue paper bearing the message "Boom 1.50pm" was found in the lavatory of a Chennai-bound IndiGo flight, triggering a mid-air bomb scare.

On November 10, the New Indian Express reported that IndiGo extended suspensions of flights to Jeddah and Madinah until November 21 and to Riyadh and Dammam until November 30, citing security concerns from Houthi missile and drone attacks.

What Comes Next for Flight 6E 0623

IndiGo is arranging an alternate aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to carry the affected passengers onward to Guwahati, according to the Times of India.