logo
Pilot falls ill before takeoff, IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight delayed by 4.5 hours: 'Appropriate medical assistance was provided'

Pilot falls ill before takeoff, IndiGo Delhi-Pune flight delayed by 4.5 hours: 'Appropriate medical assistance was provided'

Time of Indiaa day ago
NEW DELHI: A Delhi-to-Pune IndiGo flight was delayed by four-and-a-half hours on Friday after the pilot scheduled to operate the aircraft fell ill moments before takeoff, the airline confirmed in a statement issued Saturday.
Flight 6E 2262, originally set to depart Delhi at 6:00 am on July 4, was forced to return to the bay after the pilot reported feeling unwell, IndiGo said. The airline added that the situation was handled as per standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the crew member was given immediate medical attention.
'Appropriate medical assistance was provided to the unwell crew and an alternative crew was assigned to operate the aircraft, causing a delay in the flight,' IndiGo said, without revealing further details about the pilot's condition.
Data from flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed that the flight eventually took off at 10:27 am, over four hours behind schedule.
IndiGo further noted that the flight also faced delays due to temporary airspace restrictions at Pune Airport, contributing to the extended disruption.
The incident came on the same day another airline reported a similar scare, an Air India commander collapsed in the cockpit in Bengaluru just before operating a flight to Delhi.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ahmedabad crash fallout: DGCA directs AI & IndiGo to conduct post trauma workshops for 'worried' crew members
Ahmedabad crash fallout: DGCA directs AI & IndiGo to conduct post trauma workshops for 'worried' crew members

Time of India

time5 hours ago

  • Time of India

Ahmedabad crash fallout: DGCA directs AI & IndiGo to conduct post trauma workshops for 'worried' crew members

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed India's major airlines — Air India and IndiGo — to hold post trauma mental health workshop for their flight crew. The directive comes after witnessing a significant massive impact of the tragic June 12 AI 171 crash in which 260 people lost their lives on the mental health of both pilots and cabin crew. AI even saw mass sick reporting by them soon after the crash on a few days as the many of the crew members were too stressed to report to work in the right frame of mind. 'The DGCA has asked AI to hold the workshops and offer support. AI despatch now often has a psychologist in case some crew members wants counselling before operating their flight. IndiGo, which has a very wide network, has been asked to conduct e-modules of this workshop,' said officials across airlines. Pilots are especially on the tenterhooks as there has been no preliminary report even 24 days after the accident that could indicate what caused the crash just 30 seconds after take off. No one knows who all are investigating the crash, apart from AAIB chief. That suspense is taking its toll on everyone, but more so airline crew. Now it is common for crew to say a silent prayer first when an aircraft gets safely airborne and then when it completes its journey. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The DGCA has even directed the major airlines 'not to push' crew to come to work if they are not feeling upto it to operate a flight. 'Mental health affects physical health, which in turn affects the ability to operate flights safely. Till the cause, even a preliminary one, is known of AI 171 crash, the feeling of jitteriness among crew members is likely to continue,' they said. 'One of the two major Indian carriers has been putting crew members on standby duty whenever it wants, thereby inducing more stress among pilots even though there are required number of standby crew when the flight programme is published. Then there are continuing pay issues with the fix pay being reduced to 40 hours from 70 earlier. Our weekly offs are not printed on the rosters. As it is this was causing both mental and financial stress among pilots. The crash has made things even worse for us,' said pilots. Multiple pilots, especially of the Boeing 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad last month, have been reporting trauma after the accident. 'The conversation in cockpits these days is mostly limited to what could have caused the crash. What is it that went wrong. That is really eating us up. With no guidance from the probe panel so far, we are all in the dark and jittery,' said multiple pilots. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has guidelines on how aviation medical examiners should assess and evaluate pilots for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The European, Australian and International Civil Aviation Organisation also have guidelines for the assessment of PTSD in aviation. PTSD is known to compromise aviation safety.

Costly Drug Now Free For Needy Patients With Rare Skin Disease: Doctors & NGO
Costly Drug Now Free For Needy Patients With Rare Skin Disease: Doctors & NGO

Time of India

time5 hours ago

  • Time of India

Costly Drug Now Free For Needy Patients With Rare Skin Disease: Doctors & NGO

Nagpur: Needy patients suffering from a rare and painful skin disorder, Autoimmune Blistering Disease, can now receive the costly drug, Rituximab, free of charge, thanks to the initiative by the Pune-based foundation, AIBDF. The announcement came during a doctors' and public awareness programme organised by the Vidarbha Dermatology Society (VDS) attended by over 200 dermatologists from across Vidarbha. "This disease is rare but deadly, and incredibly painful. Our foundation provides Rituximab injection free of cost to needy patients so they can access the best treatment," said Dr Vikrant Saoji, a senior dermatologist. Suratwala explains that he started AIBDF in memory of his late wife, Jayshree Suratwala, who tragically lost her life to this disease during the pandemic. "I wanted to ensure that no one else suffers the way she did," he said. Senior dermatologist Dr Vinit Dubey from Chandrapur sent the very first patient to AIBDF in 2023. "The patient came from a very poor family," he said, adding, "Thanks to AIBDF, my patient received the expensive medicine for free and is now doing well." Dr Asra Khumushi, president of VDS, says the initiative is a game-changer for many underprivileged patients. "I have several patients with autoimmune blistering diseases, and many come from low-income backgrounds. Steroids are often prescribed but have severe side effects. Rituximab is the most proven and effective drug. Thanks to this NGO, it's possible now for many poor patients to get this treatment," Dr Khumushi explains. Dr Nitin Barde, another dermatologist, highlighted the financial relief for patients. "The entire treatment still adds up to around Rs one lakh. The foreign version costs over Rs three lakh per dose. So, getting this drug free of cost is a huge relief for patients," he says. Jayant Hemade, co-founder of AIBDF, and a family friend of Suratwala, said the NGO has far helped 25 patients. "Until now, the foundation was entirely funded by Suratwala. But we've recently secured CSR certification and will start accepting corporate support," Hemade said. He urged both patients and dermatologists to spread the good word. VDS secretary Dr Priyanka Magia discussed the importance of early diagnosis. "Hundreds of dermatologists across Vidarbha are now aware of this service. I urge anyone experiencing symptoms of this disease to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible, because patients must go through specialists to avail this benefit," Dr Magia advises. According to doctors, AIIMS Nagpur treated 70 patients with autoimmune blistering diseases in the past three years, highlighting the growing need for accessible treatment in the region. Autoimmune Blistering Diseases (AIBDs) * Rare but potentially life-threatening skin disorders * Immune system mistakenly attacks skin and mucous membranes * Causes painful blisters, sores, infections * AIIMS Nagpur treated 70 patients in just 3 years — significant for such a rare illness * Often treated with steroids, but these have serious side effects * Rituximab is the most proven and effective drug * AIBDF now provides Rituximab free of cost to needy patients * 25 patients helped so far by the foundation

UPSC aspirant wins Rs 9.1 lakh for sleeping 9 hours every night during 60-day sleep internship in Bengaluru, netizens react: ‘I can sleep 20 hours'
UPSC aspirant wins Rs 9.1 lakh for sleeping 9 hours every night during 60-day sleep internship in Bengaluru, netizens react: ‘I can sleep 20 hours'

Indian Express

time13 hours ago

  • Indian Express

UPSC aspirant wins Rs 9.1 lakh for sleeping 9 hours every night during 60-day sleep internship in Bengaluru, netizens react: ‘I can sleep 20 hours'

Pooja Madhav Wavhal, an IPS aspirant from Pune, won the title of India's 'Sleep Champion of the Year' after completing a unique 60-day sleep internship held in Bengaluru. She outperformed 14 other finalists to claim the top spot and a cash prize of Rs 9.1 lakh by averaging nine hours of sleep each night, Education Today reported. The sleep internship, now in its fourth edition, aims to raise awareness about India's growing sleep deprivation. Over a lakh applicants applied for the programme, but only 15 participants were shortlisted. Each applicant was provided with a mattress from a popular brand and a contactless sleep tracker to monitor their resting habits every night. Throughout the internship, they also took part in sleep-enhancing workshops and daily challenges designed to promote better sleep habits. The finalists also competed in fun tasks such as blindfolded bed-making, alarm clock treasure hunts, and even a final 'sleep-off' to test their discipline and consistency, the report said. Wavhal outshone other interns with an impressive score of 91.36, earning the title and prize. All 15 participants who completed the internship were awarded Rs 1 lakh each for their efforts. The first edition of the internship began in 2019 by the brand and has since completed four seasons. With each round, the program has attracted lakhs of applications. Each year, selected participants, dubbed 'sleep interns,' are paid to sleep at least 9 hours a night for 60 consecutive days. The goal is to monitor sleep quality using a contactless tracker and complete simple feedback routines, all from the comfort of their own homes. In the past, shortlisted candidates were evaluated through online forms, video resumes, and brief interviews. Some fun elements are added too, such as asking about one's ability to fall asleep quickly or history of nodding off in class. 🚨 Pune-based UPSC aspirant Pooja Wavhal wins ₹9.1 lakh for sleeping 9 hours a night in Wakefit's 60-day sleep internship, beating 1 lakh+ applicants. — Beats in Brief (@beatsinbrief) July 6, 2025 Soon after the post, shared by @beatsinbrief, went viral, social media users reacted to it. 'I can sleep 20 hrs per day,' a user wrote. 'No I am sure…She was dreaming of becoming IAS,' another user commented. 'I think she is ready for UPSC preparation, as of now she can study for 24hrs without sleep,' a third user reacted.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store