NEW DELHI: An IndiGo Airbus A320 (VT-IZE) operating from Pune to Guwahati on Sunday had to return to the origin after its landing gear did not retract after take off. The aircraft with about 200 people on board had taken off at 7.17 am and the pilots discovered they were unable to retract the gear which made it impossible to proceed on the journey. Deciding to return, they contacted Pune air traffic control. As per protocol, the Pune airport, which is an Indian Air Force base, made all emergency preparations for its landing which the aircraft safely did just after 9 am. Flight movement timings are as per Flightradar 24 data.Tanked up for the about three-hour flight, the pilots first flew the aircraft in a hold for about an hour near Pune to burn fuel and get within maximum landing weight. Once there, they then did a low pass over the Pune runway so that air traffic control could visually verify the position of the landing gear gear to confirm to the cockpit that the same is indeed out and…
IndiGo Guwahati-bound flight returns safely to Pune after landing gear fails to retract
In short
The IndiGo Airbus A320 was carrying around 200 people when pilots detected that the landing gear failed to retract after its 7:17 am departure. Crew members held the aircraft near Pune for approximately an hour to burn excess fuel and achieve the required maximum landing weight. Pilots also executed a low pass over the runway so air traffic controllers could visually confirm the gear was properly extended. The flight touched down safely just after 9 am, after which IndiGo arranged alternate travel and placed the plane under maintenance.
Key points
- IndiGo followed standard operating procedures and promptly notified all relevant authorit…: IndiGo followed standard operating procedures and promptly notified all relevant authorities about the mid-air technical complication.
- The airline provided an alternate aircraft, refreshments, and applicable refunds to minim…: The airline provided an alternate aircraft, refreshments, and applicable refunds to minimize travel disruptions for stranded passengers.
- The affected Airbus A320 remains grounded under maintenance checks until necessary operat…: The affected Airbus A320 remains grounded under maintenance checks until necessary operational clearances are obtained.