IndiGo Passengers Walk on Wing During Bengaluru Smoke Scare

Passengers seen walking on aircraft wing after smoke detected inside IndiGo flight

A routine evening departure from Bengaluru turned chaotic after passengers aboard an IndiGo flight were forced to evacuate an aircraft following a smoke scare at the airport. The incident gained nationwide attention after videos surfaced online showing passengers standing and walking on the wing of the aircraft during the evacuation process.

The flight, identified as 6E 6017, was scheduled to operate from Bengaluru to Chennai on May 26. According to airline officials and aviation authorities, smoke was noticed inside the cabin and cockpit while the Airbus aircraft was taxiing toward the runway for departure.

More than 230 passengers and crew members were on board at the time.

As panic spread inside the aircraft, the crew initiated an emergency evacuation using inflatable escape slides. However, the incident took a dramatic turn when one of the overwing emergency exits reportedly failed to deploy correctly, leaving several passengers stranded briefly on the aircraft wing. A passenger video later posted on social media quickly went viral.

Video sparks fresh questions over emergency preparedness

The viral footage showed confused passengers standing on the right-side wing while cabin crew and airport responders attempted to guide them toward safer exits.

A passenger identified online as Deepan Qweeter Kannan claimed the emergency slide connected to the overwing exit did not inflate properly. In his social media post, he alleged passengers had to return inside the aircraft after initially stepping onto the wing.

“I hope this is investigated properly. In panic situations, passengers could easily lose balance and suffer serious injuries,” the passenger wrote online.

The visuals triggered widespread debate online, with many users questioning aircraft maintenance standards and evacuation readiness during emergencies.

Several aviation experts noted that evacuation procedures are designed to clear a fully loaded aircraft within 90 seconds. Any malfunction involving emergency exits or slides becomes a serious regulatory matter.

DGCA launches investigation

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has started an investigation into the incident.

According to the DGCA, smoke was detected after pushback while the aircraft was taxiing. Emergency evacuation protocols were activated immediately.

The regulator confirmed that two passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. The aircraft has since been grounded for technical inspection and rectification.

Officials are expected to examine:

• The source of the smoke

• Performance of emergency equipment

• Crew response time

• Passenger evacuation handling

• Functionality of the overwing slide mechanism

The DGCA has not yet disclosed whether the smoke originated from an electrical fault, air-conditioning system, or engine-related issue.

IndiGo says safety remains top priority

In an official statement, IndiGo said the evacuation was conducted “in the interest of safety” immediately after smoke was noticed inside the aircraft.

“All customers and crew are safe and have been moved to the terminal, where they are being attended to by our teams,” the airline said.

The airline also arranged an alternate aircraft to operate the Bengaluru-Chennai route later in the evening. Passengers were provided refreshments while waiting for the replacement flight.

However, the company has not yet addressed claims regarding the alleged slide malfunction shown in the viral videos.

Growing spotlight on aviation safety in India

The incident comes at a time when India’s aviation sector is witnessing rapid expansion and record passenger traffic. Airlines are operating larger fleets and tighter schedules to meet rising demand, especially on metro routes such as Bengaluru-Chennai, Kolkata-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Mumbai.

In recent months, multiple operational disruptions involving Indian airlines have drawn public attention. These include emergency landings, technical glitches, bomb scare incidents, and large-scale flight cancellations.

Aviation analysts say the Bengaluru incident could intensify scrutiny on maintenance standards and emergency response systems, particularly as summer travel traffic peaks across Indian airports.

Captain Rakesh Menon, a retired aviation safety consultant, said emergency slide failures are considered “critical events” in the industry.

“Passengers standing on an aircraft wing during evacuation indicates that the sequence did not go exactly as intended. Regulators will examine every second of the evacuation timeline,” he said.

Social media reaction divided

The incident triggered a flood of reactions online.

Some users praised the cabin crew for handling a potentially dangerous situation without major casualties. Others criticised airlines for recurring operational and technical concerns.

Aviation discussion forums and Reddit communities also debated whether passengers should have been directed toward alternate exits sooner.

Several travellers shared personal experiences of flight disruptions and safety scares involving domestic airlines, adding to the broader public discussion around passenger confidence and airline accountability.

What happens next

The grounded aircraft is expected to undergo detailed technical inspection before being cleared for future operations. The DGCA investigation report could determine whether procedural lapses or equipment failures contributed to the evacuation complications.

For now, the dramatic visuals of passengers walking across the wing of a smoke-filled aircraft have become one of the most talked-about aviation stories in India this week.

The incident also serves as a reminder of how quickly routine air travel can turn into an emergency — and why evacuation systems are critical to passenger survival.