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. 

‘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:

The phrase is repeated three times to ensure clarity and avoid miscommunication.

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.