A full emergency was declared at Pune airport on Sunday morning after an IndiGo flight carrying 192 passengers reported a technical issue shortly after take-off.

The flight, 6E 0623, operating from Pune to Guwahati, returned to Pune airport after its landing gear (undercarriage) failed to retract and remained in the extended position.

The pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the technical issue, following which the Indian Air Force (IAF), which manages the airport, declared a full emergency.

“The Indian Air Force (IAF) declared a Full Emergency, following which all prescribed emergency response procedures were promptly activated. Fire services, ambulance services and other emergency response teams were placed on high alert to ensure the safety of passengers and crew,” Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said in a statement.

The airport authorities coordinated with the ATC, IndiGo and other agencies concerned to facilitate the safe return and landing of the aircraft.

As a precautionary measure, the aircraft conducted a low pass over the runway to allow a visual assessment of its landing gear. It subsequently landed safely at Pune airport at 9.04 am.

Three fire-fighting vehicles and two ambulances escorted the aircraft to Bay No. 7 as part of the prescribed emergency response procedures.

After confirming that the aircraft was in a safe condition, the ATC withdrew the full emergency at 9.10 am. The aerobridge was then connected to the aircraft, and all passengers safely disembarked.

Meanwhile, IndiGo has arranged an alternative aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to facilitate the onward journey of the affected passengers to Guwahati.

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