Air India Express Flight Narrowly Avoids Accident in Tiruchirapalli
In Pune, Maharashtra, a potential disaster was averted when an Air India Express flight from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah faced a technical issue. Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, praised the coordination between the pilot, Air Traffic Control (ATC), and the Airport Director for preventing a major accident.
Incident Details
The flight, carrying 140 passengers, encountered a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. To ensure safety, the pilots kept the aircraft airborne for two hours at an altitude of 4,000 feet to burn off excess fuel before safely landing back at Tiruchirapalli airport.
Response and Investigation
Following the safe landing, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grounded the aircraft and initiated an investigation into the technical snag. An Air India Express spokesperson clarified that no emergency was declared, and the aircraft circled as a precautionary measure to reduce fuel and weight.
Passenger Safety and Future Measures
All passengers, including the crew, were unharmed. An alternative aircraft was arranged for the continuation of their journey. Air India Express expressed regret for the inconvenience and reaffirmed their commitment to safety.
Doubts Revealed
Air India Express -: Air India Express is a low-cost airline in India. It operates flights to various destinations, mainly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Tiruchirapalli -: Tiruchirapalli, also known as Trichy, is a city in the southern part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It has an airport that serves both domestic and international flights.
Hydraulic failure -: Hydraulic failure in an aircraft means there is a problem with the system that uses fluid to move parts like the landing gear and brakes. This can make it difficult to control the plane.
Precautionary landing -: A precautionary landing is when a plane lands earlier than planned to ensure safety. This is done to prevent any potential problems from becoming serious.
ATC -: ATC stands for Air Traffic Control. They are the people who help guide planes safely in the sky and on the ground, making sure they don’t collide with each other.
DGCA -: DGCA stands for Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It is the Indian government body responsible for regulating civil aviation and ensuring safety in the skies.
Grounded -: When an aircraft is grounded, it means it is not allowed to fly until it is checked and repaired. This is done to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
