IndiGo Flight From Delhi to Goa Diverted to Mumbai After ‘PAN-PAN’ Alert - what Is It And Why Was It Used?
A Delhi-to-Goa IndiGo flight made an emergency landing in Mumbai on Wednesday night after facing a mid-air technical glitch in one of its engines. The Airbus A320neo aircraft, operating as flight 6E 6271, was carrying 191 passengers when the pilot was forced to divert the plane as a precautionary measure.
The incident took place around 9:27 PM, when the aircraft was about 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar. The pilot issued a "PAN PAN PAN" call -an internationally recognised urgency signal used in aviation to alert air traffic control about a serious situation that isn’t immediately life-threatening, but still requires prompt attention.
According to officials, “ The pilot declared ‘PAN PAN PAN’ due to a malfunction in engine number 1.” Responding swiftly, the pilot declared the PAN alert and rerouted the plane toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, where it landed safely at 9:53 PM.
“Ambulances and fire tenders were placed on standby and followed the aircraft to the bay as per standard protocol,” a senior airport official said on the condition of anonymity.
This call ranks one level below a “Mayday” distress call, which is reserved for life-threatening emergencies like total engine failure, onboard fire, or structural damage. The PAN message is repeated three times (“PAN PAN PAN”) to ensure clarity and avoid miscommunication over crowded radio frequencies.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this incident, and all passengers were safely deboarded. The airline is expected to arrange alternative travel plans for the affected travelers.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation protocols and the preparedness of flight crews in responding to sudden mid-air situations with calm, skill, and precision.
The incident took place around 9:27 PM, when the aircraft was about 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar. The pilot issued a "PAN PAN PAN" call -an internationally recognised urgency signal used in aviation to alert air traffic control about a serious situation that isn’t immediately life-threatening, but still requires prompt attention.
According to officials, “ The pilot declared ‘PAN PAN PAN’ due to a malfunction in engine number 1.” Responding swiftly, the pilot declared the PAN alert and rerouted the plane toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, where it landed safely at 9:53 PM.
“Ambulances and fire tenders were placed on standby and followed the aircraft to the bay as per standard protocol,” a senior airport official said on the condition of anonymity.
IndiGo issued a statement after the incident:
"A technical snag was detected on flight 6E 6271 while flying from Delhi to Manohar International Airport, Goa on 16 July 2025. Following procedures, the aircraft was diverted and landed in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai."
What Is a “PAN PAN PAN” Call?
The term “PAN PAN” (derived from the French word panne, meaning breakdown) is an internationally accepted urgency signal used in aviation and maritime communication. It indicates a non-critical emergency-a situation that doesn’t immediately threaten lives or the aircraft, but still needs priority handling.Typical scenarios that warrant a PAN alert include:
- Partial engine failure
- Onboard medical emergencies
- Low fuel warnings
- Technical glitches that don't affect overall flight control
This call ranks one level below a “Mayday” distress call, which is reserved for life-threatening emergencies like total engine failure, onboard fire, or structural damage. The PAN message is repeated three times (“PAN PAN PAN”) to ensure clarity and avoid miscommunication over crowded radio frequencies.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this incident, and all passengers were safely deboarded. The airline is expected to arrange alternative travel plans for the affected travelers.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation protocols and the preparedness of flight crews in responding to sudden mid-air situations with calm, skill, and precision.
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