An IndiGo ATR 72-212A aircraft experienced two separate but near-consecutive engine flameouts while descending through adverse weather conditions on approach to Chandigarh Airport on 2 May 2025. The aircraft recovered engine function autonomously in both cases and landed safely. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, and the aircraft remains grounded pending further inspection.
Incident Summary
Flight 6E-7742, a domestic scheduled service operated by IndiGo, was en route from Jaipur (JAI) to Chandigarh (IXC) when the aircraft experienced a serious dual engine anomaly during descent into its destination airport. The aircraft involved was an Avions de Transport Régional ATR 72-212A turboprop, registration VT-IRA, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M engines.
While descending through convective weather and heavy rainfall in the Chandigarh terminal area, one engine suffered a momentary flameout, which resolved itself after a few seconds. This was followed shortly after by a flameout of the second engine, which also recovered automatically after a brief lapse. Fortunately, the two flameouts did not occur simultaneously.
Despite these events, the crew was able to continue the approach and land safely on runway 11 at Chandigarh without further incident. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Technical Background: ATR 72-212A and PW127M Engines
The ATR 72-212A is a high-wing, twin-engine regional turboprop designed for short-haul routes and known for its fuel efficiency and STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) performance. The PW127M is a dual-shaft, free-turbine engine that includes a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system responsible for regulating fuel flow, power output, and propeller speed.
A flameout is defined as the sudden loss of combustion in the engine, typically caused by disruption in the airflow/fuel mixture, ingestion of excessive water, or foreign object interference. In this case, both flameouts were transient, meaning combustion was restored automatically by the engine control systems without manual intervention by the flight crew.
The DGCA stated that degraded engine performance due to weather-related issues was likely the primary factor. Heavy rain can cause water ingestion into the engine core, momentarily affecting the fuel-air combustion ratio and reducing turbine RPM or propeller rotational speed. This can trigger FADEC to command a restart sequence if parameters fall outside the combustion envelope.
Sequence of Events
Aircraft: ATR 72-212A, VT-IRA Flight Number: 6E-7742 Date: 2 May 2025 Route: Jaipur (JAI) to Chandigarh (IXC) Phase of Flight: Descent (altitude not publicly specified) Weather: Heavy rain, likely embedded convection and moderate to severe precipitation First Flameout: Left or right engine (sequence not specified), recovered within seconds Second Flameout: Opposite engine flamed out shortly after, also recovered Landing: Safe landing on runway 11 at Chandigarh Passengers: No reported awareness of event, no injuries
Engine Control System Response
The FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) units in the PW127M engines are designed to monitor critical engine parameters, including:
Ng (Gas Generator Speed) Np (Propeller Speed) Torque ITT (Inter-Turbine Temperature) Ambient conditions
When the system detects parameters outside acceptable operating limits—such as low prop RPM or a combustion stall—it initiates corrective action. This may include modulating fuel flow, commanding ignition, and realigning airflow scheduling to stabilise the engine.
In the reported event, it appears that both FADEC systems responded correctly, allowing the flameouts to self-resolve. The DGCA has noted that the engine control system “detected and corrected the issue”, indicating successful FADEC recovery protocols.
Regulatory Response and Inspection
Following the incident, the DGCA ordered the aircraft grounded for detailed inspection. As per standard post-event protocol, the following areas are likely being investigated:
Water ingestion susceptibility during descent through heavy precipitation Drainage and sealing integrity of air intake and combustion sections FADEC response logic and sequencing of automatic relight attempts Propeller governor and torque sensor performance Flight Data Recorder (FDR) analysis to determine engine parameter anomalies Weather radar and pilot routing decisions during descent
Pratt & Whitney Canada has been notified and is expected to provide engineering support and trend monitoring data. No fleet-wide directive or Airworthiness Directive (AD) has been issued as of this writing.
Safety and Redundancy
The ATR 72, like all twin-engine aircraft certified for commercial service, is designed to be safely flown with one engine inoperative (OEI). However, a dual engine flameout, even if sequential and brief, represents a critical event due to the risk of total propulsion loss, especially at lower altitudes during descent.
The fact that both flameouts were not simultaneous was a key factor in the aircraft’s continued safe flight. At no point did the crew report a total loss of thrust on both engines. Additionally, the weather-induced nature of the flameouts meant the engines were not mechanically damaged, and were able to relight using onboard systems.
IndiGo flight crews are trained in handling both single and dual engine failure procedures, including glide performance management and diversion planning. However, in this case, crew inputs were not required beyond monitoring as the FADEC managed recovery autonomously.
Aircraft Details
Registration: VT-IRA Manufacturer: ATR (Avions de Transport Régional) Model: ATR 72-212A Engine Type: 2 × PW127M Operator: IndiGo Capacity: Approx. 70 passengers Age: Not publicly disclosed at this time
Final Status and Current Actions
As of 3 May 2025, the aircraft remains grounded for inspection by IndiGo’s engineering team and DGCA representatives. There have been no reports of similar issues across the carrier’s ATR fleet. The airline operates multiple ATR 72s, primarily serving regional and Tier 2 destinations across India.
Passengers on board were reportedly unaware of the in-flight anomalies due to the brief nature of the flameouts and lack of perceptible cabin effects. Cabin pressurisation, lighting, and systems were unaffected.
No injuries or operational impact was reported.
Conclusion
The dual flameout incident involving IndiGo’s ATR 72 on 2 May 2025 underscores the importance of engine control system resilience in adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain remains a well-documented risk factor for transient turboprop flameouts, particularly at low power settings or idle descent.
The successful self-recovery of both PW127M engines without pilot intervention highlights the robustness of the FADEC systems onboard the ATR 72-212A. Nevertheless, the sequential nature of the flameouts, and their occurrence within a short timeframe, make this a serious operational safety event warranting full investigation.
As India enters the pre-monsoon season, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of weather radar interpretation, descent path planning, and proactive thrust management in convective environments.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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