Air India Express Flight from Indore to Pune Experiences Rough Touchdown and Go-Around
In a harrowing incident at Pune airport, close to 160 passengers aboard an Air India Express flight from Indore faced a significant scare when the aircraft executed a rough touchdown, prompting it to take off again and perform a go-around before landing safely approximately 25 minutes later. The flight, identified as IX-1245, had departed from Indore around 4 pm, which was half an hour behind its scheduled departure time.
Passenger Accounts of the Frightening Incident
Baner resident Sandeep Kolatkar, who was traveling with his family, described the landing as extremely rough and scary. He recounted that the flight approached the runway around 5 pm, but the touchdown was so jarring that it immediately lifted off again at full throttle. "The landing was very rough, and we had no clue what caused it. Soon after, the aircraft took off again, leaving everyone anxious," Kolatkar, a business professional, stated.
He noted that the cabin crew appeared confused throughout the hour-long flight and failed to provide any refreshments or information regarding the incident. "Those who had pre-booked meals only received them after the flight finally landed," he added. Passengers waited patiently for about 20-25 minutes in the air without any updates from the crew or pilot.
Safe Second Landing and Passenger Relief
After the go-around, the aircraft landed smoothly around 5:35 pm, at which point all passengers clapped hard in relief. Kolatkar speculated that while hard landings can occur during monsoons to prevent runway skidding, this event felt more severe than a routine maneuver. "This time, the landing was smooth, but the initial scare was unforgettable," he emphasized.
Efforts to contact the airline's spokesperson for an official explanation were made, but a reply was pending at the time of reporting. The lack of communication from the crew during the incident has raised concerns among passengers about safety protocols and information dissemination.
Historical Context of Similar Incidents
This is not the first time Air India Express flights to Pune have encountered landing issues:
- In December 2025, a Delhi-Pune flight aborted its landing due to adverse weather conditions.
- In June last year, another flight from Bhubaneswar to Pune aborted landing at the last moment because of a stray dog on the runway.
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in aviation safety and operational procedures at Pune airport, underscoring the need for enhanced communication and preparedness during such emergencies.
