IndiGo Nagpur-Kolkata Flight With 272 Passengers, Faces Bird Hit Shortly After Takeoff; Makes Emergency Landing

A Kolkata-bound IndiGo flight had to return to Nagpur after a bird hit on Tuesday, September 2. The aircraft was carrying 272 passengers and had to make an emergency landing due to a bird hit.  The crew navigated a mid-air U-turn to combat the situation. All passengers and crew were reported to be safe following the emergency landing. Here’s more on the incident.

Kolkata-Bound IndiGo Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Nagpur 

An IndiGo flight heading to Kolkata was forced to return to Nagpur airport, the same place from where it had departed. According to a report by News18, IndiGo flight 6E812 suffered a bird hit on Tuesday, September 2. A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird, and it can happen during takeoff, mid-air, or even landing. These incidents can range from minor to severe, often resulting in damage. 

The strike reportedly damaged the front portion of the aircraft. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, and with 272 passengers on board, the crew quickly decided to turn back mid-air and return to Nagpur. The nose of the plane was found to be damaged. Investigations are currently underway as the staff inspect the aircraft.

Also Read: Their Eyes Had Pride, Mine Had Tears; IndiGo Pilot Shares Heartfelt Video Of Welcoming Parents On Board

All Passengers Reported Safe 

According to the same report, all passengers were reported safe. Abid Ruhi, senior airport director at Nagpur airport, reportedly stated to News18 that authorities are trying to analyse what exactly happened and are looking into the matter closely.

The return of flights to airports is becoming increasingly common these days. On Monday, a Delhi-bound SpiceJet flight from Pune also had to make a mid-air turnback to the airport shortly after take-off. The aircraft, flight SG937, had already departed 40 minutes late from its scheduled time of 6 am from Pune airport. It was to land in Delhi at 8:10 am, but due to a technical glitch, the crew decided to return as a precautionary measure. The plane landed under full emergency conditions, and all passengers were safely deboarded.

IndiGo issued a statement:

“IndiGo flight 6E 812 operating from Nagpur to Kolkata on 02 September 2025 encountered a bird strike soon after take-off. As a precautionary step, pilots decided to turn back, and the flight landed safely at the Nagpur airport. Due to the requirement of necessary inspection and maintenance of the aircraft, the flight has been cancelled for the day. To minimise inconvenience to our customers, we offered them refreshments, made alternate arrangements and/or a full refund on cancellation, if opted for. The inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen situation is deeply regretted. Safety and security of our customers and crew remain our topmost priority.”

Also Read: Mumbai-Bound IndiGo Flight Develops Flat Tyre; Takes Off After Over 4-Hour Delay

Waiting passengers were offered refreshments, along with alternate travel options and a full refund or cancellation choice.

Cover Image Courtesy: IndiGo, Wikipedia/ BriYYZ (Representative Image)