IndiGo Bengaluru–Chennai Flight Evacuated After Smoke Scare On Taxiway

Passengers on an IndiGo flight from Bengaluru to Chennai were evacuated using emergency slides after smoke was detected inside the aircraft while it was taxiing for take-off at Kempegowda International Airport. All passengers and crew of flight 6E 6017 were safely moved to the terminal, and no serious injuries were reported. The airline has arranged an alternate aircraft and is providing refreshments to affected passengers as regulators begin probing the incident.

According to IndiGo and airport authorities, smoke was noticed in the cabin as the Airbus A321neo was headed towards the runway, prompting the crew to initiate an immediate evacuation protocol in the interest of safety.  

Incident Details And Immediate Response  

The smoke was detected while the aircraft was taxiing, before take-off, leading the crew to deploy emergency slides and evacuate over 200 people onboard. IndiGo said all relevant authorities were informed promptly and that passenger safety remains its top priority. Video clips shared on social media showed passengers exiting the aircraft via slides and assembling on the tarmac.  

Regulatory Probe And Next Steps  

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation to determine the source of the smoke and assess adherence to safety procedures. The aircraft has been grounded for inspection and any necessary rectification. This is the second emergency evacuation involving IndiGo this month, putting additional scrutiny on safety, maintenance and crew training standards at India’s largest airline by market share.  

Key Highlights  

• Smoke detected on IndiGo Bengaluru–Chennai flight 6E 6017 during taxiing  
• Passengers and crew evacuated via emergency slides at Bengaluru airport  
• All passengers reported safe; minor injuries, if any, were limited  
• Aircraft grounded; DGCA initiates probe into cause of smoke  
• Alternate aircraft arranged; airline reiterates safety as top priority  

Sources: Times of India, India Today, Hindustan Times, The Hindu BusinessLine, Times Now