2A major mid-air aviation scare was safely averted at Pune International Airport (Lohegaon) on Sunday morning, November 15, 2026, after IndiGo flight 6E 0623 bound for Guwahati developed a technical snag shortly after takeoff and made a safe emergency landing with all 192 people on board completely unharmed. Operating with an aircraft registered as VT-IZE, the flight experienced a landing gear malfunction moments after liftoff when its undercarriage failed to retract and remained locked in the extended position. Following prompt communication from the cockpit crew to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the Indian Air Force (IAF)—which manages airside operations at Pune Airport—declared a "Full Emergency". After executing a precautionary low pass over the runway for visual inspection of the wheels, the aircraft touched down safely at 9:04 AM, was escorted to Bay No. 7, and saw the full emergency withdrawn at 9:10 AM once normal status was confirmed. For air travelers, aviation observers, and families across Pune, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, swift coordination between IndiGo pilots, Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke’s team, and the IAF ensured a textbook emergency response with zero injuries.

Full Emergency Declared After Landing Gear Fails to Retract Post-Takeoff

Soon after departing from Pune Airport for Guwahati on Sunday morning, the pilots of IndiGo flight 6E 0623 (aircraft registration VT-IZE) detected an operational alert indicating that the aircraft’s landing gear (undercarriage) had failed to retract and remained extended in flight. Prioritizing passenger safety, the flight crew immediately notified Pune Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requested priority return clearance.

Upon receiving the distress notification, Pune Airport authorities initiated seamless coordination among ATC, the Indian Air Force (IAF), IndiGo ground staff, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), fire tenders, and medical units. The IAF formally declared a "Full Emergency," placing crash fire tenders, ambulances, and rapid-response emergency personnel on high alert along the runway perimeter.

Low Runway Pass, 9:04 AM Touchdown, and Safe Deboarding at Bay No. 7

Before attempting the final landing, the pilots conducted a precautionary low pass over the Pune Airport runway so that air traffic controllers and ground safety engineers could visually inspect the extended landing gear and verify that all wheels were properly down and locked.

Following visual confirmation from the ground, the aircraft executed a smooth, controlled landing at 9:04 AM. In strict adherence to aviation safety protocols, three fire-fighting vehicles and two ambulances escorted the jet to Bay No. 7. Once engineers and safety officials verified that the aircraft was in a safe and stable condition, ATC officially withdrew the full emergency at 9:10 AM. An aerobridge was subsequently connected, and all 192 passengers and crew members deboarded safely.

Alternate Aircraft Arranged From Bengaluru for Stranded Guwahati Passengers

Confirming the safe outcome, Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke stated that all prescribed emergency procedures were executed promptly without any injury or disruption to airport safety. Meanwhile, IndiGo grounded aircraft VT-IZE for mandatory technical inspection and arranged an alternate replacement aircraft from Bengaluru to Pune to facilitate the onward journey of the affected passengers to Guwahati, while providing refreshments and terminal assistance during the wait.