Hyderabad, 23 October (H.S.): An Air India aircraft bound for Mumbai was forced to make an emergency landing at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Telangana, following a technical fault detected just five minutes after take-off on Friday. The pilot promptly alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) and safely returned the aircraft to Hyderabad. All 109 passengers on board were reported to be safe.

According to available information, Air India flight AI 417 had departed from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad for Mumbai when a technical problem emerged within minutes of take-off. The pilot detected the malfunction approximately five minutes after the aircraft became airborne. Assessing the seriousness of the situation, the pilot immediately contacted ATC and reported the emergency. A decision was subsequently taken to turn the aircraft around and return to Hyderabad.

Following instructions and guidance from ATC, the pilot carried out the necessary procedures to bring the aircraft back safely. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing at Hyderabad airport. Its safe arrival brought considerable relief to passengers and airport authorities. Preliminary information indicated that no passengers had sustained injuries in the incident.

After the aircraft landed safely, technical specialists began inspecting it to identify the cause of the malfunction. The precise nature of the technical problem had not been established at the time of reporting.

Air India management has also initiated arrangements for alternative travel for the affected passengers to minimise the inconvenience and help them reach Mumbai. The most reassuring aspect of the incident was that all 109 passengers on board remained safe.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar