IndiGo flight 6E 6542 tail strike at Bengaluru airport; DGCA launches probe
Synopsis
IndiGo's Guwahati-Bengaluru flight struck the runway with its tail during a second landing attempt at Kempegowda International Airport, just days after another IndiGo aircraft declared an emergency over London. With the DGCA now investigating, two serious safety events in one week puts India's largest airline under an uncomfortable spotlight.
Key Takeaways
IndiGo flight 6E 6542 from Guwahati suffered a tail strike on its second landing attempt at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on 27 September 2026 .
The airline attributed the incident to gusty weather , calling it an 'Abnormal Runway Contact'.
All passengers and crew disembarked safely; the aircraft has been grounded for mandatory maintenance checks.
The DGCA has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
An alternate aircraft was arranged for the Bengaluru-Coimbatore leg to avoid operational disruption.
The incident follows a separate IndiGo emergency last week when a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with over 250 passengers returned to London Heathrow after smoke was detected on board.
IndiGo flight 6E 6542, operating from Guwahati to Bengaluru, suffered a tail strike during its second landing attempt at Kempegowda International Airport on 27 September 2026, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to open a formal investigation. The airline described the incident as an 'Abnormal Runway Contact' caused by gusty weather conditions. All passengers and crew disembarked safely.
What Happened During Landing
According to airport sources, the aircraft was forced to execute a go-around during its initial approach to Bengaluru. On its second attempt, the tail of the aircraft struck the runway — a serious but not uncommon event known in aviation as a tail strike, typically triggered when the aircraft's nose pitches up too steeply during touchdown, or in this case, during challenging wind conditions.
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed: 'An IndiGo aircraft operating flight 6E 6542 from Guwahati to Bengaluru, experienced an Abnormal Runway Contact while landing during gusty weather at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.'
Airline Response and Aircraft Status
The airline stated that all relevant authorities were informed in line with standard operating procedures, and the aircraft has been taken out of service for mandatory maintenance checks. It will return to operations only after securing the necessary regulatory clearances. An alternate aircraft was arranged to operate the plane's scheduled Bengaluru-Coimbatore leg, minimising disruption to passengers on that route.
DGCA Investigation Under Way
The DGCA has launched an investigation into the tail strike. The regulator routinely investigates incidents of abnormal runway contact to determine whether the cause was weather-related, procedural, or mechanical. Findings typically inform safety directives issued to airlines and pilot training programmes across the sector.
IndiGo's Recent Safety Record Under Scrutiny
This comes just days after a separate IndiGo incident involving a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with over 250 passengers on board, which returned to London Heathrow Airport after pilots reportedly detected smoke on board shortly after taking off for Delhi. An emergency was declared, and the aircraft was given priority landing at Heathrow. IndiGo flight 6E4 returned to London approximately an hour after departure, according to data from flight-tracking platform Flightradar24.com. The airline did not disclose the exact nature of the technical fault in that incident.
Notably, two significant safety-related diversions or incidents involving IndiGo aircraft within a single week will likely draw sharper regulatory scrutiny. India's aviation regulator has previously issued show-cause notices and enhanced oversight measures to carriers following clusters of safety-relevant events. The DGCA's findings in the Bengaluru tail strike investigation are expected to determine whether further action is warranted.
Point of View
One over London — is a pattern that demands more than routine investigation. The DGCA has a chequered history of acting swiftly on isolated events but slower to identify systemic trends; the real question is whether these incidents share any underlying causal thread, whether in crew training, operational pressure, or fleet readiness. IndiGo's rapid fleet expansion has long outpaced the pace at which India builds aviation safety capacity, and that tension is now visible. Regulators must resist the temptation to treat each incident in isolation.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tail strike and why is it dangerous?
A tail strike occurs when the rear of an aircraft makes unintended contact with the runway during takeoff or landing. It can cause structural damage to the fuselage and, if undetected, may compromise the aircraft's airworthiness on subsequent flights — which is why a mandatory maintenance inspection and regulatory clearance are required before the aircraft resumes service.
Were passengers safe during the IndiGo Bengaluru tail strike?
Yes. All passengers and crew on IndiGo flight 6E 6542 disembarked safely after the aircraft landed. The airline confirmed no injuries and arranged an alternate aircraft for the subsequent Bengaluru-Coimbatore sector.
Why did the IndiGo flight have to go around before landing?
Airport sources indicated that gusty weather conditions at Kempegowda International Airport forced the flight crew to abort its first approach and execute a go-around — a standard safety procedure when landing conditions are deemed unsafe. The tail strike occurred during the second landing attempt.
What is the DGCA investigating?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the tail strike on IndiGo flight 6E 6542. The probe will examine weather data, cockpit voice and flight data recorder information, and adherence to standard operating procedures.
Has IndiGo had other recent safety incidents?
Yes. Just days before the Bengaluru tail strike, an IndiGo Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner carrying over 250 passengers declared an emergency and returned to London Heathrow Airport after the crew reportedly detected smoke on board shortly after takeoff for Delhi. IndiGo did not disclose the specific nature of the technical fault in that incident.
