Picture Credits: Air India Express
Chennai, India: An Air India Express flight operating from Singapore to Chennai experienced a critical mid-air situation on Wednesday morning when it was forced to abort its landing just 200 feet above ground level at Chennai International Airport.
The flight, carrying approximately 180 passengers, was on final approach to the runway when it encountered sudden and intense crosswinds. As per standard aviation protocols, the flight crew determined that the descent had become unstable and made the decision to execute a go-around maneuver in which the aircraft aborts the landing attempt and ascends to reattempt landing later.
Eyewitnesses at the airport and air traffic control sources confirmed that the aircraft’s approach had deviated from the safe descent profile due to the weather conditions. The pilots promptly increased thrust and regained altitude, safely steering the aircraft back into a holding pattern over the airport.
Approximately 30 minutes after the aborted landing, the aircraft made a second approach and successfully landed without incident. All passengers and crew onboard were reported safe, and no injuries occurred.
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have initiated an inquiry into the incident. As part of the investigation, authorities will review flight data records, cockpit voice recordings, and air traffic control communication logs to ensure all safety measures were correctly followed.
Air India Express issued a statement confirming that the crew followed all standard procedures during the maneuver and emphasized that passenger safety was not compromised at any point. The airline also reiterated its commitment to safety and operational reliability.
Aviation experts note that go-arounds, while uncommon, are a routine part of pilot training and are executed when flight crews detect any condition that could compromise a safe landing, including weather disturbances, runway obstructions, or aircraft configuration issues.
Authorities have not reported any disruption to airport operations following the event, and flight schedules at Chennai International Airport have resumed normalcy.
