On the morning of March 24, 2025, a flight traveling from Delhi to Shimla encountered a technical failure in its braking system, forcing the pilot to apply emergency brakes to avert a major catastrophe. Alliance Air’s flight 9I821 could have veered off the runway at Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport, potentially causing a serious accident.
Pilot Executes a Difficult Landing
The aircraft carried more than 44 passengers, including Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Delhi Police Director General Atul Verma. According to sources, the pilot nearly overshot the runway during landing and had to apply emergency brakes at the last moment. The pilot struggled to decelerate the aircraft, narrowly avoiding a significant safety risk.
Passengers Were Warned in Advance
Before activating the emergency brakes, the airline crew had warned passengers about the technical issue. The aircraft was grounded for inspection, and the ATR-42 underwent routine checks. Initial examinations indicated no reported issues when the aircraft departed from Delhi. However, the sudden landing caused the tires to burst.
Local Flight Cancellations and Safety Measures
Following the incident, local airport authorities canceled the next scheduled flight to Dharamshala as a precautionary measure. Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft went beyond the runway’s end and struck metal spikes on the runway’s edge.
Agnihotri’s Statement: Small Runway and Technical Issues
Mukesh Agnihotri stated that the runway was small and that technical issues prevented the aircraft from touching down at the designated point, bringing it dangerously close to the runway’s end. His remarks added further uncertainty regarding the partial landing of the aircraft.
Technical Investigations Underway
After the incident, Shimla Police Inspector Sanjeev Gandhi revealed that the aircraft’s accelerator malfunctioned, making it difficult for the pilots to slow down after landing. Technical teams are currently investigating the cause of the failure during landing.
Alliance Air Cancels Flights
Alliance Air canceled three flights on the route due to safety inspections. ATR-42 aircraft operate daily scheduled flights between Delhi, Shimla, and Dharamshala.
