The plane on which Congress President Rahul Gandhi travelled from Delhi to Hubli on April 26 experienced ‘unexplained technical failures’ causing a free fall, reported ANI News on Thursday evening.

The Congress party confirmed the news.

Rahul Gandhi was taking a private flight on a small Falcon aircraft to Hubli in northern Karnataka, on his way to election meetings in Uttara Kannada district on April 26. Two-thirds of the way into the flight, the plane tilted very heavily to one side and then went into a free fall for 400 to 500 feet.

The autopilot was found not to be working and landing became extremely difficult. The plane descended twice but could not land at Hubli.

Kaushal Vidyarthee who was travelling along with Rahul Gandhi and three others on the flight, has filed a complaint with the DG and IG Karnataka, stating 'unexplained technical failures' occurred during course of flight. Vidyarthee also added that the 'shuddering and altitude dipping were not natural or weather related'. The aircraft is currently grounded at Hubli airport.