Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: An IndiGo flight en route from Delhi to Goa was forced to make an emergency landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday night after a technical snag was detected in one of its engines. The pilot issued a ‘PAN PAN PAN’ alert before landing, a rarely heard aviation distress signal that prompted emergency protocols on the ground.
Aircraft diverts after mid-air engine malfunction
Flight 6E 6271, an Airbus A320neo carrying 191 passengers, was cruising at about 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar when the pilot declared a PAN alert at 9:27 pm due to a malfunction in engine number 1, officials said. The aircraft safely landed in Mumbai at 9:53 pm. As per standard operating procedure, fire tenders and ambulances were on standby and followed the aircraft to the bay.
Understanding the PAN PAN PAN call
The term ‘PAN PAN PAN’ is a standard international urgency signal used in aviation to indicate a non-life-threatening emergency that still demands prompt attention. It sits one level below a Mayday call, which is used in cases involving immediate danger to life or the aircraft. A PAN call can be triggered by situations like partial engine failure, low fuel, non-critical system malfunctions, or medical emergencies on board. Repeating the call three times ensures clarity and reduces miscommunication during critical moments.
IndiGo, in its official statement, confirmed that the flight was diverted to Mumbai due to a technical snag and all safety protocols were followed. The incident will now be examined further by relevant aviation authorities.
