Trichy: A Sharjah-bound flight from Tiruchirappalli, which was carrying 141 passengers, experienced a mid-air technical glitch soon after departure on Friday evening, but landed safely, according to the police.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin held an emergency meeting with officials, directing them to implement all necessary safety protocols. He later congratulated the flight's captain and crew for their successful handling of the situation.
The flight took off around 5:30 pm when a hydraulic system issue, specifically with the landing gear, was detected. The pilots skillfully managed the emergency, safely landing the aircraft back at Tiruchirappalli airport.
The Chief Minister in a post on 'X' said: "I am heartened to hear that the #AirIndiaExpress flight has landed safely. Upon receiving news of the landing gear issue, I immediately coordinated an emergency meeting with officials over the phone and instructed them to implement all necessary safety measures, including deploying fire engines, ambulances, and medical assistance.
He also instructed the District Collector to ensure passengers' ongoing safety and provide any further assistance. Stalin praised the captain and crew for their adept handling of the emergency. As per protocol, fire tenders, rescue personnel, and ambulances had been sent to the airport. The aviation regulator DGCA closely monitored the situation.
Furthermore, District Collector Pradeep Kumar stated, "We deployed 18 ambulances at the airport. There is a standard protocol to offload passengers from the flight. They will either be sent on another flight or continue on the same one after resolving the technical issue."
Trichy Government Hospital Dean Dr Kumaravel said, "I met with the officials, and all the passengers are safe. Among them, there are four children. Wheelchair assistance was provided for four to five people. Beyond that, everyone is safe and comfortable. The entire medical college was put on high alert, with all doctors present, but our assistance was not needed at this time."
I am heartened to hear that the #AirIndiaExpress flight has landed safely. Upon receiving news of the landing gear issue, I immediately coordinated an emergency meeting with officials over the phone and instructed them to implement all necessary safety measures, including…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 11, 2024
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the DGCA will examine the AI Express plane to ascertain the cause for hydraulic failure during its flight to Sharjah on Friday.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, "The DGCA has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation of the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the hydraulic issue. In the meantime, Air India Express has been advised to provide all necessary assistance to passengers, including alternate arrangements for their onward journey."
"Passenger safety is our top priority and we will continue to work closely with all airlines and aviation authorities to ensure the highest standards of safety and comfort in our skies," added Naidu. (With agency inputs)
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