Patna Airport Scare: IndiGo Near-Miss Bring Back Memories Of 2000 Crash That Killed Over 60

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 13:26 IST

An IndiGo flight's near-miss at Patna Airport reignites haunting memories of the 2000 Gardanibagh crash that claimed over 60 lives. A swift go-around by the pilot averted tragedy

The pilot's action ensured the safety of all 173 passengers on board, preventing what could have been a catastrophic incident. (News18)

Patna Airport: A major aviation disaster was narrowly avoided at Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport on Tuesday when Indigo flight 6E-2482, arriving from Delhi, faced difficulty while landing. The aircraft, carrying 173 passengers, was reportedly unable to safely land due to the short runway and was forced to abort the attempt. In a quick and critical decision, the pilot executed a go-around manoeuvre, steering the aircraft back into the air and preventing what could have been a catastrophic overshoot.

Eyewitnesses and aviation sources confirmed that the runway, often considered among the more challenging in the country due to its limited length, posed a significant risk during the landing. The pilot’s timely response averted not just a potential crash, but also a collision with the densely populated Polo Road area nearby, which houses several government ministers and senior officials.

Passengers on board recounted a tense few moments as the aircraft descended sharply, only to ascend again moments before touchdown. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to initiate an inquiry into the incident, especially in light of the historical safety concerns associated with the Patna airport.

Near-Miss Evokes Painful Memories Of 2000 Patna Plane Crash

The incident has revived grim memories of one of Bihar’s worst aviation tragedies — the 2000 Patna plane crash. On July 17 that year, Alliance Air flight CD-7412, a Boeing 737-200, crashed into the residential neighbourhood of Gardanibagh, just 2km from the airport. The disaster claimed over 60 lives and remains etched in the city’s collective memory.

On that fateful day, flight CD-7412 had taken off from Kolkata at around 6:30 am, en route to Delhi with a scheduled stop in Patna. Weather conditions in Patna were poor as the aircraft approached the city around 7:30 am. After an unsuccessful landing attempt, the aircraft lost control mid-air, reportedly wobbling before it crashed in the heart of Gardanibagh.

The plane split into two upon impact. The final death toll included 55 passengers, all six crew members, and five residents on the ground. Several others sustained serious injuries. The densely populated crash site, combined with the intense fire and smoke, made rescue operations perilous.

Chaos and Courage: Rescue Response In 2000

The aftermath of the 2000 crash saw Gardanibagh engulfed in flames and panic. The narrow lanes of the locality hampered access to the crash site, but swift response teams from the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local administration, and police worked tirelessly to control the fire and transport survivors to nearby hospitals.

Tuesday’s incident, while not resulting in damage or casualties, has reignited debate around the long-standing infrastructural limitations of Patna Airport. Experts have frequently highlighted the runway’s inadequacy for larger aircraft and the airport’s proximity to densely inhabited areas as critical safety concerns.

Thanks to the Indigo pilot’s presence of mind and the crew’s professionalism, what could have been another addition to India’s list of aviation tragedies ended with relief — but not without raising urgent questions about safety upgrades and preparedness at one of the country’s busiest regional airports.

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