A Sharjah-bound Air India Flight on Friday faced hydraulic failure mid-air shortly after the take-off, forcing the plane to head back and circle over the city of Trichy in Tamil Nadu for nearly two hours in an attempt to burn off fuel before making a safe landing.

The Boeing 737 aircraft, with 141 passengers on board, took off from Trichy Airport at 5:45 pm on Friday and made a safe landing at 8:15 pm.

Trichy airport was put on alert mode after the crew alerted authorities about the landing gear issue. Over a dozen of ambulances and fire tenders reached the airport before the plane’s landing. Foam was sprayed on the runaway in case the plane catches fire during belly landing.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that the crew and emergency ground teams acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all 141 passengers on board.

“Air India Express flight AXB- 613 has safely landed at Trichy Airport following a hydraulic failure. The crew and emergency ground teams acted swiftly to ensure the safety of all 141 passengers on board. Air India Express has been advised to make the necessary arrangements for passengers’ onward travel. Safety remains our highest priority in every operation,” he wrote on X.

What Exactly Happened?

Shortly after the take-off from the Trichy airport, the plane’s landing gear failed to retract, or fold, Indian Express reported citing sources. The pilot, Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal, and Co-pilot Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole then decided to return to Trichy.

Since the plane could not land as usual due to the issue with wheels, the pilot decided to dump the fuel. The plane kept hovering over Trichy over for over two hours. The pilot took 24 small loops and three big loops before preparing for the landing.

The pilot then informed the Air Traffic Control (ATC) which granted belly landing for the flight. However, the wheels opened during the landing, prompting the pilot to make the landing normally instead of belly landing.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitored the situation till the safe landing of the plane.

Also Read: What Is Belly Landing?

Internal Probe Launched By Civil Aviation Ministry

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that even though the flight was granted permission for a belly landing, the aircraft successfully landed normally and safely instead. The ministry said that the pilot remained in constant communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC), which had advised a belly landing, but the plane touched down without any issues.

The MoCA further said an internal investigation has been launched into the incident, and the aviation regulatory body, DGCA, has been informed.

Cause of Snag Will Be Investigated: Air India

An Air India Express spokesperson said that the cause of the snag will be duly investigated.

“We are aware of media reports related to an Air India Express flight operating on the Tiruchirappalli – Sharjah route. We would like to clarify that no emergency was declared by the operating crew. After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as an abundant precaution, to reduce fuel and weight considering the runway length, before making a safe precautionary landing. The cause of the snag will be duly investigated,” the spokesperson said.

The airline will arrange an alternative aircraft that will take passengers to Sharjah.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said he has directed the District Collector to ensure the safety of all the passengers and to provide further assistance.

“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. I have also now directed the District Collector to ensure the continued safety of all the passengers and to provide further assistance. My compliments to the Captain and crew for the safe landing,” Stalin wrote on X.