An IndiGo flight en route from Delhi to Goa made an emergency landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday night after developing a mid-air engine issue. The Airbus A320neo aircraft, operating as flight 6E 6271 and carrying 191 passengers, was forced to divert following a technical snag.
According to reports, the pilot declared a “PAN PAN PAN” emergency — a standard aviation call that signals a situation requiring urgent assistance but not yet constituting a full-scale distress situation. The issue was reportedly traced to engine number 1, prompting immediate coordination with air traffic control and a safe landing at 9:53 PM.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed the technical snag and assured that all passengers and crew onboard were safe. The aircraft landed safely without incident, and all emergency protocols were followed as per standard procedure.
The “PAN PAN” call, derived from the French word panne meaning mechanical breakdown, is less severe than a “Mayday” distress call. While both indicate in-flight issues, “PAN PAN” is used when the situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening — unlike “Mayday,” which is reserved for life-threatening emergencies such as fires, system failures, or crew incapacitation.
Authorities are investigating the root cause of the malfunction, and the aircraft is being inspected by engineers.
