Key Highlights
- Air India Express flight IX 1028 from Delhi to Indore suffered a mid-air engine fault on 5 September 2025, prompting a PAN-PAN emergency call by the pilot.
- The Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft safely landed at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, with all 161 passengers and crew members unharmed.
- Emergency fire and medical teams were mobilized at the airport following the pilot’s non-life-threatening PAN-PAN distress signal.
Opening Overview
On 5 September 2025, Air India Express flight IX 1028 operating between Delhi and Indore faced a serious mid-air engine fault that led the pilot to issue a PAN-PAN call, an internationally recognized non-life-threatening emergency signal. The Air India Express engine fault incident caused the aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, to divert safely to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, arriving 20 minutes behind schedule. Carrying 161 passengers and crew, the flight’s safe landing was ensured through prompt pilot communication and the airport’s rapid activation of emergency fire and medical protocols. The Air India Express engine fault highlights the critical safety measures and responsiveness embedded within India’s aviation sector to manage technical challenges and prioritize passenger security.
STORY | AI Express' Delhi-Indore flight suffers engine fault, pilot makes PAN-PAN call; plane lands safely
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 5, 2025
A Delhi-Indore Air India Express flight having 161 passengers on board on Friday suffered a mid-air engine fault, with the pilot making a 'PAN-PAN' call to indicate… pic.twitter.com/7H0MAUJzSM
Engine Fault Incident and Pilot Response
- Air India Express flight IX 1028 suffered a technical fault in one of its engines mid-flight.
- The pilot immediately issued a PAN-PAN signal to Air Traffic Control (ATC) reporting the engine fault.
- Emergency ground staff were activated to ensure precautionary measures for safe landing following the Air India Express engine fault.
Mid-flight, the Air India Express engine fault on flight IX 1028 was detected by the flight crew, triggering the pilot to send a PAN-PAN alert to the nearest ATC. This signal indicated an urgent situation caused by the engine fault but did not pose immediate danger to the aircraft or passengers. On receiving this alert, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport promptly dispatched emergency fire and medical teams as standard procedures for managing such incidents. Despite the engine fault, the Air India Express flight IX 1028 landed safely with all 161 passengers unharmed, showcasing effective crisis communication and well-rehearsed safety protocols that alleviate risks posed by mechanical failures in-flight.
Safety Protocols at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport
- Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport is a 24/7 operational hub with extensive experience handling aviation emergencies.
- The airport’s standard operating procedures ensure immediate mobilization of emergency teams upon receiving PAN-PAN signals.
- Firefighting and medical response units were on standby for the Air India Express flight following the engine fault report.
Functioning as Central India’s busiest airport, Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport provides comprehensive emergency readiness. Upon the Air India Express engine fault declaration, the airport followed stringent SOPs requiring swift emergency responses. The presence of trained firefighting and medical teams ensured that the aircraft received priority landing and safety support. This preparedness is vital in mitigating the impact of urgent situations like the Air India Express engine fault, ensuring no casualties or further escalations during airport landings of flights facing technical difficulties.
Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft and Safety Considerations
- The Air India Express flight involved a Boeing 737 MAX 8, widely used across Indian domestic routes.
- The aircraft has undergone rigorous safety reviews and regulatory approvals after past global scrutiny.
- DGCA maintains strict oversight to ensure aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX 8 operate safely despite incidents like the engine fault.
The Air India Express engine fault occurred on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, a commonly operated aircraft in India appreciating enhanced fuel efficiency and passenger capacity. Notwithstanding the Boeing 737 MAX global safety controversies, India’s DGCA enforced rigorous safety protocols and inspections to restore confidence in the fleet. The fault associated with the Air India Express flight IX 1028 underscores the continuous need for oversight and maintenance vigilance to prevent escalation of technical pathologies. India’s regulatory framework aims to uphold stringent safety standards, requiring airlines to promptly address issues such as the Air India Express engine fault, thereby maintaining the high level of passenger safety demanded by the sector.
Emergency Communication: Understanding PAN-PAN Calls in Aviation
- PAN-PAN calls are urgent but indicate no immediate threat to life or the aircraft.
- This call signals need for priority assistance, differentiating from MAYDAY which signals a life-threatening emergency.
- The Air India Express engine fault activation of the PAN-PAN call ensured orderly emergency response and priority landing.
In aviation, pilots use the PAN-PAN call to signal urgent situations like the Air India Express engine fault that require prompt attention but are not immediately dangerous. This communication allows ATC to grant priority landing and alert emergency services without triggering the full alarm that accompanies a MAYDAY call. When the Air India Express flight IX 1028 pilot sent the PAN-PAN alert, it enabled a coordinated response freeing resources for fire and medical readiness at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport. The protocol’s importance lies in efficient crisis management without panic, as demonstrated during the Air India Express engine fault incident, ensuring safety through clear, standardized emergency signaling.
Closing Assessment
The Air India Express engine fault on flight IX 1028 has reinforced how timely pilot communication and strict airport emergency protocols safeguard passenger lives amid technical disturbances. The PAN-PAN call promptly announced the Air India Express engine fault to ATC, enabling Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport to mobilize emergency teams and facilitate a safe arrival of all 161 passengers.
This incident serves as a testament to the vital roles played by regulatory oversight, such as DGCA’s supervision of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and the preparedness of aviation infrastructure in India. As air travel continues to grow, sustained vigilance in addressing faults like those experienced in the Air India Express engine fault will be essential to preserving trust and safety in Indian aviation.
