Pune Airport’s runway was temporarily closed for 11 hours following a hard landing involving an Indian Air Force Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft, which suffered an undercarriage failure, according to multiple sources including Hindustan Times and Times of India. The incident occurred around 10:25 pm on Friday night, leaving the aircraft stranded on the runway and blocking flight operations.
The closure affected over 30 flights, resulting in numerous cancellations and diversions during the night, reports Times of India. According to Hindustan Times, the disruption caused significant logistical challenges for the airport, with recovery and clearance efforts beginning immediately after the incident.
No injuries were reported, and there was no damage to civilian infrastructure, as confirmed by Indian Air Force officials cited by NDTV and Hindustan Times. The airport resumed operations early Saturday morning, with departures restarting at 7:30 am and arrivals at 8:00 am, following swift runway repairs.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the undercarriage failure, with the Indian Air Force conducting assessments to prevent future occurrences, according to Times of India. The resumption of normal flight services marks progress, but the incident underscores the vulnerability of airport operations to military aircraft emergencies.
Going forward, the situation at Pune Airport will remain under close observation, especially regarding repair protocols and coordination between military and civil aviation sectors to minimize disruptions during such incidents.
Pune airport
Indian Air Force
