Plane Carrying 180 Passengers Makes Emergency Landing After Power Bank Catches Fire Mid-Flight

An IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai encountered a dramatic incident mid-air, leading to an emergency landing in Hyderabad. The flight, designated as 6E 6115, was forced to divert to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport after a power bank reportedly exploded inside an overhead bin.

The alarming event took place on Sunday, October 11, approximately two and a half hours into the flight. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the 180 passengers onboard, as confirmed by various news outlets, including The Independent and India Today.

As the passengers were mid-journey, smoke was detected emanating from a passenger’s personal electronic device (PED). An IndiGo representative explained that the cabin crew acted swiftly to manage the situation. The crew’s prompt response allowed them to bring the incident under control, but safety protocols necessitated that the pilots divert the aircraft to Hyderabad.

The plane managed to safely land at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at roughly 3:59 p.m. local time. Details from flight-tracking platform FlightAware corroborated this timeline. It was reported that the aircraft descended dramatically from an altitude of 35,000 feet to 3,700 feet, altering its course just before the diversion.

Footage shared on social media shows a scene of panic within the cabin, with passengers visibly distressed as they attempted to extinguish the flames in the overhead compartment. A witness captured the moment when one passenger alerted the cabin crew, crying out, “Fire!” highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Following the landing, arrangements were made for the affected passengers to continue their journey to Chennai on a different aircraft. An IndiGo spokesperson expressed regret over the distress caused to customers during the unforeseen incident. The airline offered refreshments to passengers while ensuring they received timely updates regarding their travel arrangements.

IndiGo emphasised that the safety of its customers and crew remains its highest priority. They have stated their commitment to manage the situation effectively and provide support to those affected.

This incident is a sobering reminder of the potential risks associated with electronic devices in flight. Passengers are typically advised to handle personal electronic devices with care, particularly when it comes to rechargeable batteries.

As the investigation progresses, IndiGo and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport have been approached for further comments regarding the incident. The airline is likely to review its safety protocols in light of this occurrence, reemphasising the importance of passenger safety on all its flights.

This dramatic episode serves to underline the necessity of vigilance not only from airline crews but also from passengers, ensuring that such incidents are minimised in the future.