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On Friday, an Air India Express flight bound for Sharjah from Trichy experienced a hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 737 aircraft, carrying 144 passengers and six crew members, was forced to abort its journey and return to Trichy after experiencing the snag around 5:40 pm. The pilots, demonstrating exceptional skill and composure, made the decision to return to the airport, navigating a course that would allow them to burn off fuel and ensure a safe landing. This strategic move involved circling the airspace near the border of Trichy and Pudukottai districts for over two and a half hours. The flight's return sparked various speculations and theories among passengers and the public, but ultimately, the aircraft landed safely at 8:15 pm.
The district administration, anticipating potential emergencies, had mobilized four fire tenders and 18 ambulances to the airport. Top police officials were also present to manage the situation. Chief Minister M K Stalin commended the pilot for the safe landing and expressed his gratitude for the swift response of district officials. The collector, M Pradeepkumar, confirmed that the pilots had notified the air traffic control (ATC) about the hydraulic failure at 6:15 pm and remained in constant communication with them. The pilot assured the ATC of a safe landing, but the district administration nonetheless prepared for all contingencies. The state government, recognizing the potential medical needs, assembled a team of 50 doctors from government hospitals and private hospitals to handle any medical emergencies that might arise.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation into the cause of the hydraulic failure. This investigation, ordered by the civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, aimed to thoroughly examine the circumstances leading to the emergency landing. The incident left a significant number of passengers stranded at the airport. However, 109 out of the 144 passengers continued their journey to Sharjah by a ferry flight that arrived from Thiruvananthapuram at 3 am on Saturday. The remaining 35 passengers opted to cancel their trip and return home. The DGCA investigation is expected to provide valuable insights into the cause of the hydraulic failure and contribute to the safety of future flights.