How Captain Daniel Pelisa's presence of mind saved 141 lives on board Air India Express Trichy-Sharjah flight

Captain Daniel Pelisa, the pilot of Air India Express flight AXB 613 from Trichy in Tamil Nadu to Sharjah in the Middle East, has been showered with praise for her presence of mind and composure in the face of adversity, which saved 141 lives. The flight, which took off from the Tiruchirappalli International Airport at 5:40 pm on Friday, developed a technical snag shortly after.

CREDIT: ANI

What happened to Air India Express flight AXB 613

The flight suffered a hydraulic issue, causing the plane's landing gear to malfunction and preventing the wheels from retracting. Following this, the pilot, Captain Pelisa, declared an emergency and initiated safety protocols, which included circling the Trichy airspace to reduce the aircraft's fuel weight, a necessary step for a safe emergency landing.

Two hours of panic

The aircraft went around Trichy for nearly two-and-a-half hours before making a safe landing at Trichy Airport at 8:15 pm.

CREDIT: FLIGHTRADAR24

Meanwhile, a full emergency was declared at the Trichy Airport at 6:05 pm, and teams including 20 ambulances and 18 fire engines were placed at the airport for an emergency landing.

What Air India Express said

"After reporting a technical snag, the aircraft circled multiple times in the designated area as an abundant precaution, to reduce fuel and weight considering the runway length, before making a safe precautionary landing," Air India Express said in a statement.

CREDIT: ANI

DGCA probe

"The crew followed all safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of every passenger during the emergency," Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a statement.

He also added that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been instructed to conduct a thorough examination of the aircraft to determine the exact cause of the hydraulic issue.

It is history. Brilliant efforts by team Air India Express and team #Trichy ATC for the safe landing of #IX613. Words are not enough to explain the preparation of team Fire & Rescue by AAI. It is immense by the efforts from district administration and city corporation. @AirIndiaX pic.twitter.com/bc0LubesO1

¡ª Trichy Aviation (@TrichyAviation) October 11, 2024

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Governor N Ravi also expressed happiness over the flight landing safely and congratulated the courage and calm professionalism of the cockpit and cabin crew.

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