'PAN-PAN' vs ‘Mayday’: What IndiGo’s mid-air emergency call really means
IndiGo flight with 191 on board makes emergency landing in Mumbai after mid-air snag
Dubai: A Delhi-to-Goa IndiGo flight made an emergency landing in Mumbai on Wednesday night after experiencing an engine malfunction mid-air.
Flight 6E 6271, an Airbus A320neo carrying 191 passengers, was en route from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Manohar International Airport in Goa when the pilot reported an issue in engine number 1.
The aircraft was flying approximately 100 nautical miles north of Bhubaneswar at 9:27 pm when the problem occurred.
Pilot sends ‘PAN PAN PAN’ distress signal
At the time of the incident, the pilot issued a “PAN PAN PAN” emergency call, indicating a non-life-threatening but urgent situation. The aircraft was then diverted and safely landed at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 9:53 pm.
Emergency protocols were promptly activated, with fire engines and ambulances placed on standby and following the aircraft to the parking bay after landing.
What IndiGo said
In an official statement, IndiGo confirmed a technical snag had prompted the diversion: "A technical snag was detected on flight 6E 6271 while flying from Delhi to Goa on 16 July 2025. Following procedures, the aircraft was diverted and landed in Mumbai."
What does ‘PAN PAN PAN’ mean?
‘PAN PAN PAN’ is a standard international radio call used by pilots and mariners to signal an urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening. It signals to air traffic controllers that the crew requires assistance without declaring a full emergency.
Situations warranting a PAN call can include:
Partial engine failure
A medical emergency on board
Low fuel
Other technical issues
The phrase is repeated three times to ensure clarity and avoid miscommunication.
How it differs from a ‘Mayday’ call
A PAN call is one step below a ‘Mayday’ call, which is reserved for critical emergencies like total engine failure, onboard fire, or accidents that severely endanger the aircraft.
While both signals require quick attention, a Mayday indicates a situation where immediate rescue or intervention is necessary. Both calls follow international protocols and must be repeated three times when transmitted to ensure they are clearly understood.
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