Air India Express flight makes emergency landing in Trichy after mid-air snag

An Air India Express flight made an emergency landing at Tiruchirappalli airport in Tamil Nadu on Friday evening, hours after it took off and reported a technical snag mid-air. The flight hovered over Trichy airspace for some time before it landed at the airport.
The flight, with 140 passengers on board, took off from Trichy airport for Sharjah at 5.43 pm but soon developed a technical snag.
According to the Trichy airport director, the pilot alerted the air station about the hydraulic failure.

Hydraulic failure in a plane happens when the system that uses pressurised fluid to control important parts, like the landing gear, brakes, and flaps, stops working properly.
Trichy District Collector told India Today TV that the airport director conveyed there was no reason to worry, and the flight would be able to land safely.
The airport prepared for belly landing, which is when a plane lands without using its landing gear. However, the flight later landed normally as the landing gear deployed successfully.

Earlier, fuel dumping was being considered to make the plane lighter. However, it was not opted for as the plane was circling over residential areas.
As a precautionary measure, ambulances and rescue teams were on standby at the airport.
Videos from the airport showed people cheering as the flight made its landing on the airstrip.
In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “The Air India Express Flight IX 613 from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah has landed safely at Tiruchirapalli airport. DGCA was monitoring the situation. The landing gear was opening. The flight has landed normally. The airport was put on alert mode.”
Chief Minister MK Stalin commended the Captain and crew of the Air India Express flight for the safe landing.
“I am heartened to hear that the Air India Express 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,” the Chief Minister tweeted.
“I have also now directed the District Collector to ensure the continued safety of all the passengers and to provide further assistance,” he added.