A major aviation mishap was narrowly averted at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Friday night when an IndiGo Airlines aircraft arriving from Bhubaneswar developed a technical snag during landing, forcing a hard landing on the runway.
The IndiGo flight, operating under number 6E-7361, was carrying 56 passengers. During the landing process, the aircraft reportedly suffered a sudden technical malfunction, resulting in a strong impact as the rear portion of the aircraft struck the runway.
The impact caused damage to the aircraft, but all passengers on board escaped safely. Sources said a few passengers sustained minor injuries due to the sudden jolt.
The flight had departed Bhubaneswar at around 7:55 pm and was scheduled to land in Ranchi at approximately 8:30 pm. However, during the final descent, an unexpected technical issue emerged, compelling the pilot to carry out a hard landing.
Passengers recounted experiencing a severe jolt, which led to brief panic inside the cabin. Despite the tense situation, the pilot displayed prompt judgment and successfully brought the aircraft under control, taxiing it safely to the apron.
After the aircraft came to a halt, all passengers were evacuated safely, one by one. Airport officials confirmed that emergency protocols were followed to ensure passenger safety.
Following the incident, a technical inspection of the aircraft was initiated. Preliminary checks by engineers declared the aircraft unfit for further operations, after which it was grounded on safety grounds.
The incident also disrupted IndiGo’s subsequent flight from Ranchi to Bhubaneswar.
Passengers scheduled to travel on the Ranchi-Bhubaneswar sector reported inconvenience, stating that they were made to wait at the airport late into the night without clear communication. Initially, the aircraft was declared grounded at around 9:40 pm, and the airline indicated that an alternative aircraft would be arranged within six to seven hours. However, no replacement aircraft could be deployed.
Eventually, IndiGo made arrangements for hotel accommodation and meals for the stranded passengers. As many as 77 passengers bound for Bhubaneswar were provided overnight stay facilities.
Also read: Union Minister inaugurates Birsa Munda museum in Ranchi
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