IndiGo Guwahati-Chennai Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Bengaluru After Mayday Call Over Low Fuel
Mumbai: An IndiGo flight en route from Guwahati to Chennai was forced to make an emergency landing at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Thursday evening after the pilot sent out a Mayday distress call due to critically low fuel levels.
The flight, numbered 6E-6764 and operated using an Airbus A321 aircraft, had 168 passengers on board. According to reports, the aircraft took off from Guwahati Airport at 4:40 pm and reached Chennai around 7:45 pm. However, upon attempting to land at the Chennai airport, the pilot aborted the landing mid-process — a manoeuvre known as a “balked landing” — after the landing gear had already touched the runway.
Sources cited by Times of India revealed that the approach appeared to be “unstabilised,” prompting the pilot to execute a steep climb, causing alarm among passengers. “The sudden ascent had everyone on the edge of their seats,” a passenger told TOI.
Instead of attempting a second landing in Chennai, the pilot diverted the flight to Bengaluru. Roughly 35 miles from Bengaluru Airport, the captain issued a Mayday call — an internationally recognised emergency signal indicating grave and imminent danger.
After receiving the distress signal, Bengaluru’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately alerted ground emergency services. Fire and medical teams were positioned on standby as a precautionary measure. The flight landed safely at 8:20 pm.
Aviation sources confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot have been taken off active duty, pending further investigation. However, IndiGo has not issued an official statement regarding the crew’s status as of Friday.
A Mayday call is used only in life-threatening situations where immediate help is needed — such as engine failure, severe medical emergencies, or in this case, insufficient fuel. The term is derived from the French “m’aidez,” meaning “help me,” and must be used with utmost seriousness. False or inappropriate use is considered a criminal offence.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, including the flight’s fuel planning, route decisions, and crew actions.
While all passengers and crew are reported to be safe, the incident has sparked discussions around operational safety and emergency preparedness in Indian aviation.
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