IndiGo Flight Doors Stuck for 32 Minutes Post Mumbai-Kanpur Landing

An IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Kanpur faced a significant issue recently, as the aircraft’s doors remained jammed for approximately 32 minutes after landing. This incident involved flight 6E 824 and sparked concern among the passengers on board.

Details of the Incident

The flight, which was scheduled to land at Kanpur Airport at 3:20 PM, experienced a delay in takeoff from Mumbai. It departed late, arriving at Kanpur at 3:46 PM after circling for 12 minutes awaiting Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance.

Passenger Experience

Upon landing, the passengers were unable to exit the aircraft for nearly half an hour. Hemant Pandey, a poet from Kanpur and a passenger on the flight, noted the rising panic among travelers as the door malfunctioned. They repeatedly requested assistance from the cabin crew, who were reportedly unable to help.

Technical Explanation

IndiGo’s station manager, Pankaj Pandey, clarified that the airplane did not experience technical issues in the conventional sense. He indicated that the delay in disembarkation was due to the engine needing time to cool down and that passengers exited within 20 minutes, contrary to claims of a longer delay.

The root of the problem was identified as a discharged battery, which the technical team successfully charged, enabling the doors to function properly. The aircraft was cleared for a return to Mumbai, departing at 5:30 PM.

Comparative Incident

This event is one of several recent incidents involving IndiGo flights. Another flight, 6E-6961, was diverted to Varanasi due to a reported fuel leak, which turned out to be caused by a faulty sensor. The aircraft landed safely at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, with all 166 passengers unharmed.

Conclusion

Passenger safety remains a top priority for airlines, and investigations into both incidents are ongoing to ensure such technical faults are minimized in the future.