An IndiGo flight from Guwahati to Chennai turned into a panic-filled ride after it was forced to land in Bengaluru due to low fuel. The drama unfolded on Thursday evening, with 168 passengers onboard flight 6E-6764, an Airbus A321.
The plane took off from Guwahati at 4:40 pm. All seemed normal until the flight approached Chennai around 7:45 pm. That’s when things got intense. The pilot attempted to land but had to suddenly pull the aircraft up again—what aviation folks call a “balked landing.” Basically, the wheels touched the ground, but the plane went right back up.
Then came the real shocker. About 35 miles from Bengaluru, the captain sent out a Mayday call—the global distress signal pilots use when facing a life-threatening emergency.
According to reports, the issue was an “unstabilised approach.” That’s a fancy way of saying the landing didn’t feel right, and they were low on fuel. Instead of circling back to Chennai for another try, the pilots made the decision to head for Bengaluru. A quick-thinking move, but not without drama.
The sudden climb after the missed landing had passengers terrified. “We were all on the edge of our seats,” one passenger told Times of India.
ATC officials at Bengaluru acted fast. Medical teams, fire trucks, and emergency crews were ready when the plane landed safely at 8:20 pm. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
After the incident, both pilots were reportedly taken off duty. IndiGo hasn’t confirmed that, but sources say an internal review is underway.
What Is a Mayday Call?
A Mayday call is the most serious distress signal in aviation. It comes from the French phrase “m’aidez,” meaning “help me.” Pilots say “Mayday” three times in a row to make sure it’s heard clearly. It’s only used in emergencies where lives are at risk.
Misusing it is a crime—it wastes critical time and resources. But in this case, it was very real.
IndiGo Flight Crisis: What It Tells Us
This event raises some big questions. How did the flight end up so low on fuel? Why wasn’t a second landing attempt made in Chennai? Was there poor planning or just bad luck?
While we wait for IndiGo to respond, one thing is clear: the Mayday system worked. Lives were protected, and the crew made a tough call under pressure.
For now, let’s be grateful everyone walked away safe. But the airline owes us some answers.
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