An IndiGo flight from Pune to Guwahati was forced to return to Pune Airport on 15 November after its landing gear failed to retract following take-off. The aircraft landed safely at 9:04 am, and the Pune airport administration said all 192 passengers and the crew were safe.
The flight, IndiGo 6E-0623, operated by aircraft VT-IZE, had departed from Pune for Guwahati on Sunday morning. Soon after take-off, the landing gear, or undercarriage, remained extended instead of retracting as expected during the initial climb.
The pilot noticed the malfunction and immediately informed Air Traffic Control. The information triggered a coordinated response involving the Pune airport administration, air traffic control, IndiGo and other agencies responsible for managing an aviation emergency.
The Indian Air Force declared an emergency across the airport, according to the report. Fire services, ambulances and other emergency teams were placed on standby before the aircraft returned to the airport.
Landing gear is a critical aircraft system used during take-off and landing. In this incident, the gear remaining outside after departure led the pilot to return the aircraft to its departure airport rather than continue towards Guwahati. The supplied report does not state whether the aircraft experienced any further technical problem during the return or provide details of the inspection that followed.
The incident also illustrates the role of airport emergency procedures in managing an in-flight technical problem. Once the pilot alerted air traffic control, airport authorities and response teams prepared for a possible emergency landing while the aircraft was brought back to Pune.
The Pune airport administration said the passengers and crew were safe after the aircraft landed. No injuries or damage were reported in the supplied account. IndiGo’s statement on the technical fault, the aircraft’s subsequent operational status and arrangements for the passengers were not included in the report.
The next steps will depend on the technical assessment of the aircraft and the airline’s operational decision regarding the affected flight. The report does not provide a revised schedule for the Pune-Guwahati service or a timeline for completion of the inspection.
