- DGCA Launches Probe
New Delhi. 26 May 2026. An IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft operating flight 6E-6017 from Bengaluru to Chennai was involved in an emergency evacuation after smoke was reported in the cockpit and cabin during taxiing, according to a formal statement issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
The aircraft, registered as VT-IME, had already pushed back from the bay and commenced taxi when the crew observed smoke inside the aircraft. Quoting the Ministry of Civil Aviation statement, “M/s Indigo A321 aircraft VT-IME while operating flight 6E-6017 (Bengaluru-Chennai) was involved in emergency evacuation of passengers as smoke was reported in Cabin/cockpit.”
The ministry further stated, “After pushback when taxi was commenced smoke was observed in cockpit and cabin. Crew carried emergency evacuation of passengers using all escape slides.” According to the official statement, two passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation process. “During the evacuation process, two passengers received minor injury,” the ministry added. Following the incident, the aircraft has been taken out of service for detailed technical checks.“The aircraft has been grounded for inspection/rectification,” the statement noted.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the smoke and assess the sequence of events leading to the emergency evacuation. “DGCA is investigating the incident,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed.
The incident once again highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid crew response during on-ground emergencies. The use of all escape slides indicates that standard emergency evacuation procedures were immediately activated to ensure passenger safety. Further details are expected following the DGCA’s preliminary findings.
