The Air India Express Boeing 737 NG aircraft began circling the airport shortly after takeoff, as the pilots worked to dump fuel before making their return. The aircraft ultimately landed safely at 8:30 p.m.
An Air India Express Boeing 737 NG, operating a flight from Tiruchi to Sharjah, circled over Tiruchirappalli International Airport for nearly three hours after takeoff due to an issue with the landing gear, which couldn’t be retracted. The aircraft eventually made a safe return to the airport.
The DGCA is investigating the incident, a senior official said.
The landing gear, a set of wheels and components that support an aircraft while on the ground, enables both takeoff and landing. After takeoff, the landing gear is retracted to improve the plane’s aerodynamics and minimize drag. However, on the flight from Tiruchi to Sharjah on Friday, October 11, 2024, the landing gear failed to retract.
An Air India Express Boeing 737 NG operating flight IX 613 from Tiruchi to Sharjah faced an issue shortly after takeoff on Friday, October 11, 2024. The aircraft circled Tiruchirappalli International Airport for nearly three hours before safely returning to the airport, as the landing gear couldn’t be retracted after takeoff.
The landing gear, which consists of wheels and other components supporting the aircraft on the ground, must be retracted after takeoff to enhance aerodynamics and reduce drag. However, due to the failure to retract the landing gear, the plane’s drag increased significantly, resulting in 150% higher fuel consumption. This increased drag typically forces the aircraft to either return or divert from its planned journey.
Flight IX 613 took off from Tiruchi at 5:40 p.m. and began circling the airport minutes later while the pilots attempted to burn fuel before landing. The aircraft safely touched down at 8:30 p.m. "The aircraft made a normal landing, and all passengers are safe," confirmed G. Gopalakrishnan, Director of Tiruchi Airport.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is currently investigating the incident, according to a senior official.
A spokesperson for Air India Express stated, "The cause of the snag will be duly investigated. In the interim, an alternative aircraft is being arranged for the onward journey of our guests."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also expressed relief at the safe landing of the flight. In a tweet, he said, "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..."
Safety remains our highest priority: Civil Aviation Minister
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, in a post on X, stated, "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."
He further added that Air India Express had been advised to make the necessary arrangements for the passengers' onward travel. "Safety remains our highest priority in every operation," he emphasized.
Aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan commented on the incident, stating, “It seems that either the engineer or the pilot didn’t conduct a proper walkaround before takeoff, and they may have forgotten to remove the landing gear pin. This could explain why the pilots had to circle the airport to reduce the aircraft's weight below the maximum landing weight. Otherwise, if it were simply an issue of extended landing gear, the pilots could have performed an overweight landing.