An Air India Express flight from Bengaluru carrying approximately 160 passengers experienced a tense landing at Gwalior Airport on Saturday afternoon. The flight, operated by a Boeing 737, encountered a technical issue during its initial landing attempt, causing it to lose balance and tilt to one side, sparking considerable panic among the passengers.

Passengers reported a violent shaking of the aircraft during the first landing attempt, which prompted the pilot to initiate a "go-around" procedure. A "go-around" is a standard safety procedure where a pilot aborts a landing and circles around to attempt another approach. The aircraft then made a second attempt to land, but its speed was reportedly higher than normal, which initially prevented a successful touchdown.

According to reports, the incident occurred around 4 p.m.. Some passengers described the experience as extremely frightening, with one passenger, KM Ojha, stating that the plane hit the ground at high speed, and a crash was narrowly averted, attributing their survival to divine intervention. Another report mentioned passengers screaming and shouting out of fear during the landing. It was also reported that the aircraft was close to losing complete manual control.

Following the successful second landing, technical personnel conducted a thorough examination of the aircraft and found no faults. The aircraft was later cleared for its scheduled departure back to Bengaluru, where it landed safely.

An Air India Express spokesperson addressed the incident, stating that the crew is well-trained to execute a go-around when necessary as a precautionary measure. The spokesperson added that there were no identified issues with the aircraft and that it operated as scheduled after the incident. Gwalior airport director A K Goswami also stated that a failed landing on the first attempt is a normal occurrence.

Despite the airline's and airport officials' attempts to downplay the incident, some passengers filed complaints with the airport and airline authorities after deboarding.

While investigations are ongoing, initial reports suggest a possible technical snag during the first landing attempt. The incident is a stark reminder of the critical importance of pilot training and safety protocols in aviation, as well as the crucial role of aircraft maintenance in ensuring passenger safety. The quick thinking and expertise of the flight crew in executing the go-around procedure undoubtedly averted a potentially disastrous situation.