June 3, 2025
An IndiGo flight en route from Patna to Ranchi was forced to make an emergency landing on Monday afternoon after a bird strike occurred mid-air. The incident took place when the aircraft, an Airbus A320 operating as flight 6E6902, was flying at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet, about 10 to 12 nautical miles from Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport.
The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and crew members at the time of the event. According to airport officials, the bird involved in the strike was a large vulture, which collided with the aircraft’s nose section. Although the front of the plane suffered visible damage, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely, and no injuries were reported among those on board.
Ranchi Airport Director R.R. Maurya confirmed the incident, stating that the bird hit occurred shortly before the aircraft’s scheduled landing. He added that the engineering team has begun assessing the damage to determine the extent of necessary repairs.
The flight was originally scheduled to continue to Kolkata after its stop in Ranchi, but it has since been grounded due to safety checks. IndiGo is working with maintenance personnel and aviation authorities to inspect the aircraft before it returns to service.
Bird strikes continue to be a significant concern in the aviation industry, particularly when involving larger birds such as vultures. These incidents can compromise flight safety and cause substantial structural damage. Despite existing wildlife control measures around airports, such events remain difficult to eliminate entirely.
This emergency landing follows a similar incident last month when another IndiGo aircraft, flying from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered a hailstorm mid-flight, which also damaged the aircraft’s nose. In both situations, the flight crew followed standard emergency procedures and ensured the safety of passengers.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the latest bird strike. Such investigations help in identifying potential gaps in wildlife management near flight paths and improving aviation safety protocols.
IndiGo has not issued an official statement as of yet but is said to be providing alternative travel arrangements for the affected passengers. Normal operations from Ranchi Airport have resumed.
This incident highlights the ongoing risks posed by bird strikes in Indian airspace and reinforces the importance of rapid response, pilot training, and robust aviation safety systems.
