Mumbai, April 10, 2026 – An Air India Airbus A320neo (AI 2812) en route from Mumbai to Bengaluru made an emergency return landing Thursday after issuing a “PAN-PAN” urgency call due to a suspected engine snag just 20 minutes post-takeoff.
The flight departed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport around 2:15 AM—delayed from 2:05 AM—and U-turned back by 2:35 AM after reports of a loud bang and engine sparks during ascent. All 47 passengers and crew landed safely, with no injuries.
What is a PAN-PAN Call?
“PAN-PAN” (pronounced “pahnn pahnn”), repeated three times, signals an urgent aviation situation requiring immediate assistance but not an imminent life threat, unlike “Mayday” for grave distress. It’s used for issues like engine failures in multi-engine planes or system malfunctions needing route/altitude changes.
Airline Response
Air India grounded the aircraft for inspections per safety protocols, arranged an alternate flight departing 4:45 AM, and assisted passengers on ground. “Safety remains our top priority,” a spokesperson stated, amid recent scrutiny on carrier maintenance.
