In a serious mid-air emergency, an IndiGo flight traveling from Guwahati to Chennai made headlines after it was forced to issue a ‘Mayday’ call due to critically low fuel. The incident occurred on June 19 and involved flight number 6E-6764, an Airbus A321, carrying 168 passengers.
The aircraft was scheduled to land in Chennai around 7:45 PM, but adverse weather conditions and congestion at the airport made landing impossible at the intended time. The pilots then made the decision to divert the flight to Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
What Happened During the Flight?
According to sources, the aircraft took off from Guwahati at 4:40 PM. Upon arrival in Chennai airspace, the pilots were unable to receive clearance for landing due to heavy traffic and bad weather. After attempting a go-around and waiting in a holding pattern, the fuel levels began to fall dangerously low.
As the situation grew more critical, the pilots declared a Mayday—a distress signal that indicates an emergency requiring immediate attention and priority landing. The aircraft then proceeded to Bengaluru, where it made a safe landing at 8:20 PM.
Official Statement and Immediate Action
IndiGo later confirmed the incident, stating that the Mayday call was made because the aircraft was nearing minimum fuel levels during the diversion.
“Due to weather-related challenges and congestion at Chennai airport, our flight 6E-6764 was diverted to Bengaluru. A Mayday call was issued as a precautionary measure when the fuel dropped to a critical level,” said an IndiGo spokesperson.
Following standard procedure, both pilots have been derostered pending a detailed investigation into the fuel planning, decision-making, and communication during the flight.
Another IndiGo Incident in 24 Hours
In a separate event, a Madurai-bound IndiGo flight experienced a technical issue mid-air on June 20 and returned to Chennai airport after requesting emergency landing permission. The aircraft had around 68 passengers, all of whom were safely deboarded after landing.
These two incidents in quick succession have raised concerns about air safety, maintenance, and preparedness in Indian aviation, especially involving low-cost carriers operating tight schedules.
DGCA Involvement and Investigation
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has taken note of the incident and is expected to launch a detailed probe. The investigation will likely focus on:
- Fuel management and planning
- Decision-making during adverse conditions
- Adherence to aviation safety protocols
Experts emphasize that while the aircraft did land safely, the declaration of a Mayday due to fuel shortage is not a routine situation and warrants a serious review.
FAQs
1. What is a ‘Mayday’ call in aviation?
A “Mayday” is an emergency signal used by aircraft to indicate a life-threatening situation, such as severe technical failure, medical emergencies, or critically low fuel.
2. Why did the flight divert from Chennai to Bengaluru?
The aircraft diverted due to poor weather and high air traffic at Chennai, which made it unsafe or impossible to land as scheduled.
3. Is low fuel considered pilot negligence?
Not always. Pilots are trained to calculate fuel with reserves. However, prolonged holding patterns and unexpected diversions can strain these reserves. The DGCA will investigate if proper procedures were followed.
4. What does ‘derostered’ mean in aviation?
Being derostered means the pilots have been temporarily removed from flying duties until an investigation is completed.
5. Were the passengers at risk?
Although the situation was serious, the flight landed safely and all passengers were unharmed. Emergency protocols were successfully followed.