New Delhi, 28 March (H.S.):

An IndiGo flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday morning after a technical fault developed in one of its engines while en route from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to Delhi.

The incident, which unfolded in the early hours, saw the aircraft land safely on runway 28 with all 161 passengers and crew members reportedly unharmed, thanks to the prompt activation of emergency protocols by airport authorities.

The aircraft, IndiGo flight 6E 579, had taken off from Visakhapatnam at 8.39 a.m. bound for Delhi when the crew detected a sudden malfunction in one of the engines. Delhi Police said that the situation resembled an engine‑failure scenario mid‑flight, prompting the pilot to immediately inform Delhi air traffic control and request priority clearance for an emergency landing.

The distress call was received at approximately 10.53 a.m., and the airport’s fire and rescue teams scrambled five vehicles to the designated runway as part of the established emergency protocol.

Air traffic controllers cleared runway 28 and kept it on high alert, ensuring that the approach path was free of other traffic so that the pilot could focus on guiding the plane down safely on the remaining engine. Passengers on board reported a brief period of panic and confusion when the fault was first noticed, but the cabin crew maintained order while the pilot continued to circle the airport to assess the situation and stabilise the aircraft before touchdown.

The single‑engine landing was executed smoothly, and the moments after the plane touched down were marked by relief among passengers and staff alike.

Operator and authorities confirm safe outcome

An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that the crew identified the technical issue only shortly before initiating the landing procedure and followed standard operating procedures to prioritise safety. The airline stated that the aircraft landed “without incident” and that all onboard were safe.

The spokesperson added that the plane is now undergoing a full inspection and maintenance checks, with the airline working closely with the relevant aviation safety agencies to investigate the cause of the engine‑related fault.

Indira Gandhi International Airport officials said the emergency response was swift and coordinated, highlighting the effectiveness of the facility’s preparedness mechanisms for such scenarios. The incident has drawn attention to the critical role of trained pilots, air traffic controllers and airport emergency teams in averting potential catastrophes when in‑flight technical problems arise. As investigations continue, aviation experts are expected to review the aircraft’s maintenance history and the nature of the fault to ensure that appropriate measures are taken in the wider fleet.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar