IndiGo Kolkata-Chennai flight triggers full emergency over left engine issue

An IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Chennai landed safely late Tuesday night after developing a left engine inoperative condition, prompting authorities to declare a full emergency at Chennai Airport.

Flight 6E-723, operating from Kolkata to Chennai, had 224 people on board when it landed safely on Runway 25 at 11:37 pm, the Chennai Airport Authority said on Wednesday.

Full emergency declared at Chennai airport

The airport authorities declared a full emergency at 11:29 pm after receiving information about the aircraft’s left engine issue. The flight was scheduled to arrive at 11:30 pm and was expected to land at 11:37 pm.

"A Full Emergency was declared at 2329 IST for flight 6E-723, operating from Kolkata (CCU) to Chennai (MAA), due to a left engine inoperative condition. The aircraft was expected to arrive at 2337 HRS, with the scheduled time of arrival being 2330 HRS," the Chennai Airport Authority said.

Emergency response arrangements were put in place at the airport to ensure the aircraft could land safely.

The aircraft touched down at 11:37 pm, with all 224 people on board. The full emergency was withdrawn 10 minutes later at 11:47 pm, following the safe landing.

"Following the declaration of the Full Emergency, the necessary emergency response arrangements were initiated to facilitate the safe arrival of the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at 2337 IST on Runway 25, with 224 persons on board. Full Emergency was formally withdrawn at 2347 HRS. All operations normal," the statement read, reported NDTV.

IndiGo flight had emergency landing last month

The incident comes weeks after another IndiGo flight faced an in-flight emergency.

Last month, an international IndiGo flight travelling from Dubai to Mumbai made an unscheduled emergency landing at Rajkot Airport in Gujarat after the pilots received an alert indicating smoke in the aircraft’s lower cargo hold.

The crew responded to the warning by declaring an emergency and requesting priority landing clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Rajkot.

Emergency teams, including fire tenders and medical units, were deployed alongside the runway as a precaution before the aircraft landed.