Mumbai: A Mumbai-bound Air India flight inadvertently transmitted a hijack alert soon after taking off from Delhi on January 27, prompting an immediate security response. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the incident, sources said.
Flight AI 2957 sent out the emergency squawk code ‘7500’ which signals a hijack causing security agencies to spring into action. The distress signal remained active for approximately three minutes before the Pilot in Command (PIC) informed the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) that it was an inadvertent activation.
Despite the clarification, security protocols were strictly followed. Upon landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at around 10 PM, the aircraft was directed to an isolation bay, and passengers disembarked safely.
Airline sources suggested the activation could have been due to a technical glitch rather than crew involvement. Regulatory bodies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), have launched an inquiry into the incident.
Air India has not issued an official statement on the matter. The squawk code ‘7500’ is internationally recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is used exclusively for hijack alerts.
Authorities are working to determine whether human error or a technical malfunction triggered the false alarm. While the incident caused concern, passengers and crew remained unharmed, and the flight concluded safely.
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