NEW DELHI — A major aviation scare ended safely at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Saturday morning, March 28, 2026. IndiGo flight 6E 579 emergency landing, traveling from Visakhapatnam to Delhi, was forced to make an emergency landing following a mid-air engine failure. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 carrying 161 passengers and crew, touched down safely at approximately 10:54 AM. Airport authorities had declared a “full emergency” minutes prior to the landing to ensure maximum safety protocols were in place.
The emergency was officially triggered at 10:39 AM after the pilots reported a technical glitch in one of the engines. According to officials, the aircraft involved was a 15-year-old plane wet-leased from Turkey’s Corendon Airlines. Despite the loss of power in one engine, the flight crew executed a precise landing on Runway 28. Emergency response teams, including multiple fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Service, were stationed along the runway as a precautionary measure.
Quick Response and Safe Evacuation
The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) received the distress call at 10:53 AM, just moments before the plane touched down. Fire department officials confirmed that no fire or smoke was detected upon landing. Additionally, all passengers were evacuated through the main exits once the aircraft reached the designated bay. No injuries were reported among the 161 individuals on board.
“The aircraft landed safely on a single engine,” a senior airport official stated. Moreover, the rapid coordination between Air Traffic Control (ATC) and ground emergency services prevented any major disruption to other flight schedules. Passengers described a moment of anxiety when the captain announced the technical issue. However, they praised the crew for maintaining a calm environment throughout the descent.
Investigation Into Wet-Leased Aircraft Safety
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a preliminary probe into the incident. This particular Boeing 737 (Registration: TC-COR) is part of IndiGo’s wet-lease agreement to bolster its domestic capacity. Technical experts will now examine the faulty engine to determine if the failure resulted from a mechanical bird strike or an internal component malfunction.
Furthermore, this incident highlights ongoing discussions regarding the maintenance standards of leased older aircraft. While wet-leasing helps airlines manage high demand, it requires stringent oversight to match India’s rigorous safety norms. IndiGo released a brief statement confirming the technical diversion and regretted the inconvenience caused to its passengers.
Current Status of Airport Operations
Following the successful recovery of the aircraft, operations at IGI Airport’s Runway 28 have returned to normal. The Boeing 737 has been towed to a technical hangar for a detailed inspection. Additionally, IndiGo arranged for the seamless movement of passengers’ luggage and provided assistance for those with connecting flights.
The prompt action by the Delhi-bound flight crew demonstrates the high level of emergency training maintained by Indian carriers. As of Saturday afternoon, the airport remains fully operational. Travelers are advised to check with their respective airlines for any minor delays resulting from the morning’s emergency standby.