IndiGo flight's close call raises safety concerns among passengers

An IndiGo flight from Ayodhya to Delhi encountered a harrowing experience on Saturday, April 13, when it had to divert to Chandigarh due to bad weather in Delhi. Passengers, including Satish Kumar, expressed concern over the incident, alleging that IndiGo may have violated safety protocols.

Fuel scarcity raises alarm

The flight (6E2702) was scheduled to depart Ayodhya at 3:25 PM and reach Delhi at 4:30 PM. However, 15 minutes before landing, the pilot announced the inability to land in Delhi due to adverse weather conditions. Attempts to land twice were unsuccessful, leading to anxiety among passengers.

Passenger Satish Kumar mentioned that the pilot informed them at 4:15 PM that the plane had 45 minutes of holding fuel. After two failed landing attempts and delays in deciding on a diversion, the pilot finally announced at 5:30 PM the decision to divert to Chandigarh. Passengers, including crew members, reportedly experienced panic, with some even vomiting.

Kumar highlighted the critical nature of the situation, stating that the plane landed in Chandigarh at 6:10 PM with only 1 or 2 minutes of fuel left. He questioned the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation about the adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the seriousness of the close call.

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Retired Pilot's Safety Concerns

Retired pilot Shakti Lumba described the incident as a "gross safety violation" by IndiGo. He demanded an investigation by the DGCA, emphasizing that after two missed approaches, a diversion is mandatory for safety. Lumba expressed serious concern over the decision to continue holding instead of promptly diverting the flight.

Social media users also raised questions about the flight's operations, pointing out discrepancies in flight radar data. While IndiGo has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident, the episode has sparked widespread discussion about safety practices in aviation.

The incident has raised significant safety concerns, with passengers and experts calling for a thorough investigation into IndiGo's handling of the situation. The flight's close call with fuel exhaustion highlights the critical importance of adhering to established safety protocols in aviation operations.

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