Tension gripped Trichy International Airport on Monday as a Dubai-bound Air India Express flight was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after take-off due to a technical malfunction. The incident caused significant anxiety among passengers and their families, though the aircraft ultimately landed safely.
Flight Details and the Mid-Air Scare
The flight in question was Air India Express IX 0611, scheduled to depart from Trichy at 12.45 pm. After a delay, the aircraft, a Boeing 738, finally took off at 1.55 pm carrying approximately 150 passengers and crew members. However, the journey was abruptly interrupted just minutes into the flight when the crew detected an unspecified technical snag.
Faced with the issue, the pilots decided to return to Trichy. The aircraft spent nearly two hours circling over the districts of Trichy and Pudukottai, likely to burn fuel and reduce weight for a safer landing. This extended airborne period heightened concerns for those both onboard and on the ground.
Anxiety on the Ground and a Safe Return
Relatives awaiting the flight's arrival in Dubai grew suspicious when online flight tracking services showed the plane had not left Trichy airspace. Their worries were confirmed as some alert passengers onboard managed to communicate the situation, even reaching out to former Nagapattinam MLA Thamimum Ansari to raise the alarm.
Thankfully, the skilled pilots brought the aircraft down without further incident. The Boeing 738 landed safely back at Trichy International Airport at 3.53 pm. Airport authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe and that the technical fault was subsequently identified and rectified by engineers.
Journey Resumes After Tense Hours
Following necessary checks and repairs, the same aircraft was cleared for operation again. Around 140 passengers and crew members later resumed their journey to Dubai on the same plane, putting an end to the day's stressful events. The incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols in aviation, which ensured a positive outcome despite the frightening circumstances.
While the exact nature of the technical snag was not immediately disclosed by official sources, the swift response and safe handling of the situation prevented what could have been a major crisis. Airport operations at Trichy returned to normal following the emergency landing.
