Pilot’s ‘PAN PAN PAN’ Alert Helps IndiGo Flight Avoid Crisis

Mumbai:

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Goa was forced to make an emergency landing in Mumbai after one of its engines malfunctioned mid‑air. Flight 6E‑6271, operated by an Airbus A320neo, issued a “PAN PAN PAN” call signalling an urgent but non‑life‑threatening technical issue, before diverting safely to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday evening.  

The aircraft, registration VT‑IZB—departed from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 20:02 IST. Roughly 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar at approximately 21:27 IST, the pilot reportedly declared “PAN PAN PAN” due to a malfunction in engine number one.  

A Mumbai Airport official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that the call prompted a full emergency declaration by air traffic control, activating fire tenders and an ambulance on the runway. The flight crew had requested diversion to Mumbai around 21:32 IST.  

Despite the engine shutdown, the twin‑engine jet landed smoothly at 21:53 IST, two minutes ahead of its expected arrival time. All 191 passengers and crew members were unharmed. Mumbai airport authorities officially called off the emergency at 21:57 IST.  

IndiGo confirmed the diversion in a statement: “A technical snag was detected on flight 6E 6271 while flying from Delhi to Manohar International Airport, Goa, on 16 July 2025. Following procedures, the aircraft was diverted and landed in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.”   The airline added that the aircraft will now undergo comprehensive technical checks before resuming service and that alternative arrangements have been made for affected passengers.

The phrase “PAN PAN PAN” is an internationally recognised radio signal indicating an urgent situation requiring attention, but one that does not immediately threaten life, unlike the more critical “MAYDAY” signal reserved for dire emergencies. Aviation experts describe it as a crucial tool for alerting control towers to significant technical issues without causing undue alarm.  

India has seen a spate of technical snags in recent weeks. Only days earlier, a Raipur‑bound IndiGo flight returned to Indore after a technical fault shortly after take‑off. Prior to that, a SpiceJet flight from Pune to Delhi aborted take‑off because of a technical issue.  

Despite these incidents, aviation analysts stress that modern airliners are designed to manage single‑engine failures while maintaining safety. In this case, the aircraft’s ability to glide and land on one engine underscores the robustness of standard safety protocols.

Passengers praised the calm professionalism of the crew. A spokesperson from Mumbai airport noted that terminal staff were ready to assist from the moment of arrival.  

As aviation safety remains under public scrutiny, this incident highlights the effectiveness of emergency broadcasting procedures and disciplined crew response. IndiGo has reiterated its commitment to safety and customer care, assuring that the crew’s swift actions ensured that no lives were at risk.