Air India Express Flight AXB 613 Safely Lands on Belly at Trichy Airport: Full Incident Report
An Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli to Sharjah faced a significant emergency on October 11, 2024. The aircraft, with 144 passengers on board, reported a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. This incident caused the plane to circle over Trichy for nearly two hours as it prepared for an emergency landing.
Main Points
Incident Overview
The flight, designated AXB 613, took off at 5:43 PM but quickly encountered issues. The pilot informed air traffic control about a hydraulic failure, which is critical as it affects the landing gear and other essential systems. Following this alert, the aircraft circled to burn off fuel, ensuring a safer landing.
Emergency protocols were activated at Trichy Airport. Authorities deployed 18 fire engines and ambulances to the site, ready to respond in case of an emergency during landing. The airport director assured that all necessary measures were in place for a safe landing.
The Flight’s Journey
As the aircraft hovered over Trichy airspace, passengers remained calm despite the situation. Many were informed about the ongoing preparations for an emergency landing. The flight crew kept communication open with passengers, providing updates on their status and assuring them of safety measures.
Around 8:14 PM, after burning off sufficient fuel, the Air India Express flight successfully landed on its belly at Trichy Airport. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were reported safe, and no injuries occurred during this tense situation.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: The Air India Express Flight IX 613 from Tiruchirapalli to Sharjah, which faced a technical problem (Hydraulic failure), has landed safely at Tiruchirapalli airport.
(Outside visuals from Tiruchirapalli airport) pic.twitter.com/ttcQCMW7HJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024
Technical Details
Hydraulic failure in aircraft can lead to serious complications. It typically affects critical systems like the landing gear and brakes. In this case, the failure meant that the pilot could not deploy the landing gear normally. Instead, preparations were made for a belly landing, where the aircraft lands without its wheels being extended.
Emergency Response
The response from airport authorities was swift and organized. Fire engines lined up along the runway, ready to tackle any potential fire or emergency situation that could arise from the belly landing. Medical teams stood by to assist passengers once they disembarked.
Local officials reassured families waiting at the airport about the safety of their loved ones on board. The District Collector mentioned that there was no need for alarm as all precautions had been taken.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin tweets “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… https://t.co/VecIJrmnwx pic.twitter.com/Wi6TfoT0hJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2024
Passenger Experience
Passengers aboard AXB 613 experienced anxiety but were grateful for the professionalism of the flight crew. Many expressed relief upon safely landing after such a stressful ordeal. The airline has promised to provide support and assistance to those affected by this incident.
