Trainee Flight Makes Emergency Landing On Busy Tamil Nadu Highway After Engine Snag

A training aircraft made a dramatic emergency landing on the Tiruchy–Pudukottai National Highway near Keeranur in Tamil Nadu’s Pudukottai district on Thursday, triggering panic among motorists and residents in the area. The single-engine plane, operated by a private flying club from Salem, landed safely on the road after an apparent engine failure during a training mission. Both the pilot and trainee pilot escaped unharmed, officials confirmed.

According to officials at Tiruchy International Airport, the aircraft was en route to the Karaikudi airspace when it suddenly developed a technical snag mid-flight. Upon detecting the malfunction, the pilot immediately requested emergency assistance and decided to bring the plane down safely on the highway near the Malai Matha Hillock Church. The Air Traffic Control at Tiruchy International Airport alerted local police and airport authorities as soon as the incident was reported.

Witnesses said residents and motorists were initially alarmed at the sight of the aircraft making a low descent over the highway before landing smoothly on an open patch of road. Once it became clear that both occupants were safe and there was no damage, large crowds gathered at the site to view the aircraft up close. The timely action by the pilot and the absence of major traffic on that stretch of road are believed to have averted a potentially serious accident.

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Airport Director S. S. Raju confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Cessna model owned by Ekvir Flying Club based in Salem. He said, “Both the pilot and trainee pilot are safe. Although the aircraft landed on the highway, regular vehicular traffic was not affected.” Airport officials and police later cordoned off the stretch of road and conducted a preliminary inspection of the aircraft before arranging for its removal.

“The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the engine failure,” Raju added. Early indications suggest that a mechanical fault in the single-engine system may have triggered the mid-air emergency. The DGCA team is expected to assess maintenance records and flight logs to ensure compliance with safety protocols.

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