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The Indian Air Force has initiated a court of inquiry following a hard landing involving a Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft at Pune Airport, which temporarily disrupted flight operations. The incident, attributed to a possible technical issue in the aircraft’s undercarriage, led to runway blockage and forced authorities to suspend operations overnight. As a result, 12 incoming flights were diverted and 73 services cancelled. Operations resumed the following morning after clearance and safety inspections. Investigations are examining multiple factors, including technical faults and landing parameters. The development highlights operational sensitivities at dual-use airports, where military and civilian aviation share infrastructure, often amplifying the impact of such incidents on commercial air traffic.
The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft made a hard landing at Pune Airport, leading to significant disruption of civilian flight operations earlier this week. Advertisement
According to officials, the aircraft encountered a technical issue during landing, reportedly linked to its undercarriage, which caused it to become immobilised on the runway. The incident occurred late in the evening, prompting airport authorities to temporarily suspend operations and issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for runway closure. Initially scheduled for reopening in the early hours, the closure was extended to allow for aircraft removal, runway inspection, and restoration.
The disruption had a considerable impact on air traffic, with 12 incoming flights diverted to alternate airports and 73 departures cancelled. Pune Airport operates under a dual-use model, accommodating both civilian flights and military operations, which often increases the operational sensitivity in the event of such incidents.
Defence officials indicated that the court of inquiry would examine multiple aspects surrounding the landing. These include the possibility of a technical malfunction, the aircraft’s vertical descent speed at the time of touchdown, and the altitude at which the pilot first established visual contact with the runway. The aim is to determine the exact sequence of events and identify any procedural or technical lapses.
Authorities confirmed that both pilots onboard the aircraft were safe, and there were no reports of injuries. The aircraft, however, sustained damage due to the impact, though the extent has not been publicly detailed.
Following the incident, teams from the Air Force Station in Pune undertook coordinated efforts overnight to clear the runway. Officials stated that specialised equipment and technical expertise were deployed to expedite the process, ensuring that operations could resume at the earliest possible time. By the following morning, the runway was declared operational and commercial flight services gradually returned to normal.
The episode underscores the complexities associated with shared aviation infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic urban centres. While such arrangements optimise land use and infrastructure efficiency, they also expose civilian operations to disruptions arising from military activity.
In the broader context, the incident is expected to prompt a review of operational protocols and emergency response mechanisms at dual-use airports. Ensuring rapid recovery and minimising passenger disruption remain key priorities, especially as air traffic volumes continue to rise across India’s major aviation hubs.
Source - PTI
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