Su-30MKI Gear Failure Disrupts Pune Airport Runway Overnight

Pune, April 18, 2026 - Operations at Pune International Airport (Lohegaon) were severely disrupted late on April 17 after an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet experienced a landing gear (undercarriage) failure during a routine night training sortie, leading to a hard landing that blocked the shared civil-military runway for approximately 9-11 hours.

The incident occurred around 10:25 p.m. on April 17 at the Lohegaon Air Force Station. The aircraft came to rest on the runway after the landing gear malfunctioned, forcing a complete halt in both military and civilian flight operations from around 11:15 p.m. Airlines, including IndiGo, issued advisories to passengers about potential delays and diversions. The runway was cleared by early morning on April 18, with departures resuming from approximately 7:30 a.m. and arrivals from 8:00 a.m., though some lingering delays affected schedules throughout the day.

Fortunately, both aircrew members escaped unharmed, and there was no damage to civilian property or ground infrastructure. The IAF confirmed that the pilots are safe and emphasized the successful recovery efforts. The aircraft sustained damage primarily to the nose and landing gear area but was removed efficiently by IAF teams.

This marks another incident in what has been a challenging year for IAF aviation safety. According to records from sources like Bharat Rakshak, at least two major accidents were logged in early 2026 prior to this event: a January training aircraft crash (pilots safe) and a February Tejas runway overshoot incident that led to the temporary grounding of the Tejas fleet. A fatal Su-30MKI crash in Assam on March 5 also claimed two pilots' lives, bringing the tally of notable 2026 incidents (including this gear failure) to at least three or four depending on classification.

Social media platforms quickly lit up with a mix of unverified claims, misinformation, and memes. Shortly after the IAF's initial statement confirming the crew's safety, several posts and videos circulated with unrelated crash imagery or exaggerated "crash-landing" narratives. Some users, particularly from rival accounts, made fun of the IAF with jokes, roasts, and comparisons to other air forces, turning the technical incident into fodder for online trolling and "PAF superiority" memes despite official clarifications. The IAF has stressed the pilots' well-being and the non-catastrophic nature of the event amid the wave of speculation.

Investigations into the technical cause of the undercarriage failure are underway. The Su-30MKI remains the backbone of the IAF's fleet, with two squadrons based at Lohegaon. This shared runway setup at Pune often highlights the need for dedicated civilian infrastructure like the proposed Purandar Airport to reduce pressure on military assets.