IndiGo Jet Makes Emergency Landing in Mumbai After Engine Failure
Delhi-Goa Flight Diverted Due to Technical Snag
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Goa encountered a critical engine issue mid-journey, forcing an emergency diversion to Mumbai on Wednesday evening. The aircraft landed safely, but the incident highlights ongoing challenges in aviation safety.
Engine Malfunction Forces Diversion
IndiGo flight 6E 6271, operating between Delhi and Goa’s Manohar International Airport, experienced a technical problem forcing its rerouting. Sources close to the matter confirmed that one engine failed during the flight.
The Airbus A320neo aircraft had departed Delhi approximately thirty minutes behind its scheduled 8 pm departure. Flight tracking data indicates the plane safely touched down at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport just before 10 pm, with the emergency landing occurring at 9:52 pm.
“Full emergency declared for IndiGo flight 6E-6271, operating on Delhi-Goa route after it was diverted to Mumbai due to one engine failure,” sources informed the press.
Recent Aviation Incidents Underscore Safety Concerns
This event follows a similar incident on July 9, where an IndiGo flight from Patna to Delhi, 6E 5009, had to return to Patna shortly after takeoff due to a bird strike. In that case, the airline confirmed the flight’s cancellation for essential maintenance.
Passengers affected by the bird strike incident were offered travel alternatives or full refunds. An IndiGo spokesperson stated, “We are doing our best to minimise inconvenience to our customers, including offering them refreshments, a full refund on cancellation and/or making alternate arrangements for their travel. The inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation is deeply regretted. Safety and security of our customers and crew remains our topmost priority.”
Adverse Weather Grounds Delhi Flights
Separately, the Delhi airport experienced significant disruptions on Wednesday afternoon, with five flights diverted due to adverse weather conditions. Two IndiGo flights and two Air India flights were redirected to Jaipur, while a third Air India flight was sent to Amritsar.
Air India had posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 1:44 pm, noting that gusty wind and rain are impacting flight operations in Delhi.
Earlier, at 2:17 pm, IndiGo had advised on X that heavy rains are forecast across #Delhi today, and while our operations remain on schedule for now, weather-related delays may be expected later in the day.
These weather-related diversions are particularly impactful at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, India’s busiest, which handles approximately 1,300 flights daily. For context, air traffic control at London Heathrow reported managing an average of 1,300 flight movements per day in 2023, highlighting the scale of operations at the Delhi hub (Eurocontrol, 2024).