BENGALURU – What was supposed to be a routine 90-minute flight turned into a four-hour nightmare for passengers aboard Fly91 flight IC3401. A sudden technical fault left the aircraft circling helplessly, sparking scenes of panic and desperation inside the cabin.
The Flight Path to Panic
The ATR turboprop aircraft departed Hyderabad at 3:00 PM yesterday, scheduled to touch down in Hubballi by 4:30 PM. However, as the plane prepared for its descent, a technical glitch forced the pilots to abort the landing.
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The Standoff: For nearly four hours, the plane remained airborne, circling over Mundgod, Davanagere, and Shivamogga.
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The Atmosphere: Viral footage from inside the cabin shows a harrowing scene: passengers sobbing, hands joined in prayer, and shouts of “Oh my God” echoing through the aisles.
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Pilot Communication: Amidst the chaos, the pilot was heard urging calm, saying, “We are holding. We will keep you updated. Have patience, kindly follow instructions.”
Tensions High Onboard and on the Ground
As the minutes turned into hours, terrified passengers began pleading with the crew to divert the flight. Suggestions to head toward Belgaum or return to Bengaluru were heard throughout the cabin as travelers grew increasingly desperate.
Meanwhile, ground tensions escalated as families of those on board accused Fly91 Airlines of negligence. Many claimed they were left in the dark with no official updates while their loved ones were trapped in the air.
“Ro mat, ro mat, kuch nahi hota, ruko (Don’t cry, don’t cry—it’s nothing. Wait),” one passenger was heard comforting another in the shaky video.
A Safe Resolution
The ordeal finally came to an end at approximately 7:30 PM when the aircraft was diverted to Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Despite the extreme distress and repeated failed landing attempts at the original destination, the plane landed safely, and no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
