On October 11, 2024, an Air India Express flight (IX613) bound for Sharjah from Trichy faced a mid-air hydraulic failure, sparking a tense situation aboard. The plane, a Boeing 737 carrying 141 passengers, developed a serious technical issue shortly after take-off, forcing the pilots to make a critical decision to circle the Trichy airspace for hours before executing a safe landing.
This blog delves into the events surrounding the hydraulic failure and how the quick thinking and expertise of the pilots saved the lives of everyone on board.
The Incident: Hydraulic Failure Mid-Flight
The flight took off from Trichy airport at 5:45 PM, but shortly after takeoff, the landing gear failed to retract, leading to a hydraulic system failure. Pilots Iqrom Rifadly Fahmi Zainal and Maitryee Shrikrishna Shitole were immediately alerted to the issue and made the decision to return to Trichy.
Since the landing gear couldn’t fold, a normal landing was impossible, and the plane had to stay airborne to burn excess fuel. The plane circled over Trichy for two hours, performing 24 small loops and three large loops to reduce its weight before attempting the landing.
Emergency Measures Taken by Authorities
Once the issue was communicated to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ground authorities, Trichy airport was placed on high alert. More than a dozen ambulances and fire tenders were stationed around the runway, and foam was sprayed to prevent a potential fire in case of a belly landing.
The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, promptly organized an emergency response, ensuring that all safety measures were in place. Additionally, the civil aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitored the situation closely.
The Heroic Landing: Calm Under Pressure
Despite being granted permission for a belly landing, the flight’s pilots managed to land the aircraft safely when the landing gear unexpectedly deployed at the last moment. Both Captain Zainal and Co-pilot Shitole exhibited tremendous calm and professionalism in handling the critical situation. The aircraft landed safely at 8:15 PM, over two hours after the initial hydraulic failure, saving all 141 passengers on board.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation later confirmed that no emergency was declared by the operating crew and that all precautionary steps were taken to ensure the passengers’ safety.
Aftermath and Investigation
The incident prompted an internal investigation by Air India Express and the DGCA to determine the root cause of the hydraulic failure. The airline arranged an alternative aircraft to transport the passengers to their original destination of Sharjah. The aviation community lauded the swift actions of both the pilots and the ground staff, who worked together to avert a major disaster.
Conclusion: A Testament to Skill and Coordination
The successful landing of Air India Express flight IX613 is a powerful reminder of the importance of skilled pilots and coordinated emergency responses. Thanks to the pilots’ expertise and the support of ground teams, what could have been a catastrophic incident ended in relief. The incident will be thoroughly investigated, but for now, it stands as a testament to human resilience in the face of potential disaster.
