Air India Express flight makes emergency landing in Kolkata due to hydraulic failure

Saturday, March 16, 2024

An Air India Express flight, I5 558, originating from Bengaluru and carrying 174 passengers along with 6 crew members, executed an emergency landing at Kolkata airport in the early hours of Friday. The necessity for this action arose after the aircraft’s captain identified a malfunction within the hydraulic system, which is integral for flight controls and landing gear operation, especially critical during the landing phase. According to airport officials, the issue surfaced as the plane was preparing to land in Kolkata around 12:30 am, with cockpit indicators signaling a problem with the hydraulic system.

Responding to this situation, the captain immediately communicated with the air traffic control (ATC), requesting permission for an emergency landing. A hydraulic pressure loss in flight control components, such as the wing flaps, could significantly hamper the aircraft’s ability to decelerate post-landing.

Additionally, an inability to extend the landing gear would necessitate a more hazardous belly landing. Fortunately, the technical issue was resolved prior to the aircraft’s landing. Despite this, emergency protocols, including the deployment of fire engines and ambulances, were enacted as a precaution. The aircraft, after safely landing, remained on the runway for an extended period before it was cleared by engineers for further operations.

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