An Air India Express flight issued a PAN-PAN distress call on Friday after identifying a technical snag in midair. The aircraft was forced to make a priority landing after encountering difficulties — the second such incident within four days on the same route. The incident also comes two days after another Air India Express flight from Tiruchirappalli was delayed after developing a technical issue.
“Due to a suspected oil filter issue during descent into Indore, following standard operating procedures, the crew landed safely. Our pilots are well trained to carry out such precautionary measures.” An Air India Express Spokesperson said in a statement.
What is a PAN-PAN call?
The globally recognised signal is issued to signal distress in maritime and air radio communication. It indicates an urgent situation that requires assistance but is not immediately life-threatening. When a pilot sends a ‘PAN-PAN’ signal, it means that the crew needs immediate help from ATC or ‘ground service’.
Recurring snags
The incident comes mere days after another Air India flight on the same route issued a PAN-PAN call and returned to Delhi airport soon after takeoff. The pilot had initially issued a MAYDAY call to the air traffic control following fire indication in the left engine. According to a spokesperson, this was later downgraded to a PAN-PAN “to indicate urgency rather than emergency”. The Indore-bound flight had returned to Delhi soon after takeoff with 161 passengers on board.
“Flight AI2913, operating from Delhi to Indore on 31 August, air-returned to Delhi shortly after take-off, as the cockpit crew received a fire indication for the right engine. Following standard procedure, the cockpit crew elected to shut down the engine and returned to Delhi where the flight landed safely,” an Air India spokesperson had told ANI.