Flight operations at Pune Airport were severely disrupted after an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft made a hard landing, leading to the temporary closure of the runway late Monday night.
Runway Blocked After Hard Landing
The incident occurred around 10:25 PM, when the aircraft reportedly suffered an undercarriage failure during landing, leaving it stranded on the runway. The 2,535-metre-long runway was rendered non-operational for several hours.
While defence sources indicated that the aircraft may be a Sukhoi Su-30MKI, officials have not confirmed the aircraft type.
Major Disruption to Flight Operations
The closure led to significant disruption:
- At least 32 incoming flights diverted or cancelled
- Similar number of departures delayed or cancelled
- Passengers faced confusion and inconvenience overnight
Aircrew Safe, No Civil Damage
The Indian Air Force confirmed that:
- Aircrew are safe
- No damage to civil property
- Efforts are underway to restore runway operations quickly
Efforts to Clear Runway
Authorities deployed cranes and heavy machinery to move the aircraft, with estimates suggesting 4–6 hours to clear the runway. Civil operations were to resume only after clearance from IAF authorities.
Investigation Ordered
Officials stated that the exact cause of the incident will be determined through a Court of Inquiry, a standard procedure in such cases.
Passenger Inconvenience
The disruption caused widespread inconvenience, with several passengers reporting last-minute cancellations, delays, and uncertainty regarding rescheduled flights.
Authorities Monitoring Situation
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said he is in constant touch with airport and Air Force authorities to ensure normalcy is restored at the earliest.
