Why Air India Flight Circled And Burned Fuel For Two Hours After Hydraulic Failure | Explained

A Sharjah-bound Air India flight with 140 passengers onboard faced a critical emergency on Friday, circling over Trichy, Tamil Nadu, for nearly two hours due to a hydraulic issue. After the issue was reported, the plane was instructed to return. However, since it was not advisable to attempt a precautionary landing with a full fuel load, the pilots burned off some fuel while maintaining a holding pattern at a distance from Tiruchirappalli.

The flight was initially permitted to perform a belly landing. However, the aircraft ultimately landed safely and normally without any problems. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that the flight "made a normal landing". 

What Caused Mid-Air Emergency On Air India's Sharjah-Bound Flight?

Reports suggest that the issue originated from a malfunction in the landing gear during take-off, prompting the pilot to return. The Boeing 737-800 was releasing fuel before attempting to land, while all standard operating procedures (SOPs) were meticulously followed at the airport. 

Initial findings point to a problem with the aircraft's hydraulic systems, which are essential for controlling critical operations, including landing. 

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Hydraulic failure in an aircraft involves the malfunction or loss of these systems, which use pressurised fluid to operate vital components like landing gear, brakes, flaps, and flight controls, all crucial for manoeuvring and safely landing the aircraft.

What Is Belly Landing?

A belly landing, also known as a gear-up landing, occurs when an aircraft touches down without fully extending its landing gear, relying on its underside for landing. This can happen due to mechanical malfunctions or pilot oversight. 

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When only one landing gear leg fails to extend, the pilot might decide to retract all the landing gear and execute a belly landing. This decision is based on the belief that controlling the aircraft during rollout is easier without any landing gear than with one leg missing. However, factors such as strong crosswinds, poor visibility, aircraft damage, or unresponsive instruments significantly heighten the risks associated with a belly landing.

While the manoeuvre can cause significant damage to the aircraft and carries risks like flipping disintegration, or fire, precise control can minimise these dangers. Despite being one of the most common types of aircraft accidents, belly landings are typically not fatal when performed with care.