Saturday, March 29, 2025
New Delhi, May 24, 2025 – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has temporarily grounded two Indigo pilots involved in a serious mid-air emergency that occurred on May 21 during a Delhi-to-Srinagar flight. The order prohibits the pilots from operating any flights until a detailed investigation into the incident is completed.
Flight A321 was en route from Delhi to Srinagar when it encountered extreme turbulence and hailstorms over Pathankot due to rapidly worsening weather conditions. As per the flight log, the pilots requested permission from the Indian Air Force to divert toward the international boundary, which was denied. A subsequent request to enter Lahore’s airspace was also turned down by Pakistani air traffic control.
Unable to find an alternate route, the pilots attempted to redirect the aircraft, but the plane was caught in heavy rain and violent winds. Despite the turbulent conditions, the crew successfully managed to land the aircraft at Srinagar Airport. However, the plane sustained visible damage to its nose section during the ordeal.
Citing the seriousness of the event, the DGCA issued an immediate suspension of both pilots pending the outcome of the investigation. A senior official stated, “The pilots will remain off duty until the final probe report is submitted.”
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu praised the pilots for their calm handling of the crisis and ensuring passenger safety. “Based on preliminary findings, I commend both pilots for demonstrating composure under pressure. Thanks to their actions, 227 lives were saved,” he said.
The DGCA’s probe will assess the pilots’ decisions, the airline’s preparedness for adverse weather, and potential lapses in coordination with military and international air traffic control. An evaluation of the flight’s speed variations and trajectory has also begun.
