CHANDIGARH- According to a passenger’s claim, an IndiGo Airlines (6E) flight originating from Ayodhya (AYJ) bound for Delhi (DEL) on April 13 encountered a precarious situation, necessitating a diversion to Chandigarh (IXC) due to critically low fuel levels upon landing.
Allegations suggest potential breaches of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by IndiGo, prompting safety concerns among passengers and a retired pilot.
IndiGo Flight Diverted to Chandigarh
Satish Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), recounted his distressing encounter with the incident on social media. He indicated that flight 6E2702 was initially scheduled to depart Ayodhya at 3:25 PM, with an anticipated arrival time in Delhi at 4:30 PM local time.
Approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled landing, the pilot conveyed that adverse weather conditions in Delhi necessitated a plan change. Allegedly, despite two attempts, the aircraft could not land due to the unfavorable conditions.
Deputy Commissioner Kumar reported that at 4:15 PM, the pilot notified passengers of 45 minutes of holding fuel. However, after two unsuccessful landing endeavors and what Kumar characterized as deliberation time, the pilot announced the decision to divert to Chandigarh at 5:30 PM, 75 minutes after the initial holding fuel announcement.
“By that point,” Kumar recounted, “many passengers and one crew member were experiencing nausea due to panic.”
“The aircraft successfully touched down at Chandigarh Airport at 6:10 PM, marking 115 minutes elapsed since the disclosure of having 45 minutes of holding fuel,” he asserted.
“Upon landing, we were informed by the crew that we arrived with only 1 or 2 minutes of fuel remaining, emphasizing the critical nature of the situation.”
Kumar took to social media, addressing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), raising concerns regarding adherence to SOPs and pondering whether this incident constituted a narrow escape.
Ex Pilot Questions Safety on 6E Flights
Retired pilot Shakti Lumba labeled the incident as a “serious breach of safety” by IndiGo and urged the DGCA to conduct an investigation.
“In accordance with standard protocol, a diversion is required after two unsuccessful landing attempts,” Lumba expressed on X.
“Continuing to hold instead of diverting and then landing, reportedly with minimal fuel, constitutes a severe safety breach. If the reports are accurate, the Captain should not be in command.”
Social media users have highlighted that Flightradar data seemingly indicates only one missed approach and go-around, followed by the cancellation of a second approach and an immediate diversion to Chandigarh.
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