Major Mishap Averted at Mumbai Airport: Two Flights Nearly Collide on Runway
Desk Report, June 9, 2024: A significant aviation disaster was narrowly avoided at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport early Saturday morning when two aircraft came perilously close to colliding on the runway. A viral video circulating on social media captures the tense moment when an IndiGo flight landed on the same runway from which an Air India flight was in the process of taking off.
The incident occurred on Runway 27, involving IndiGo flight 6E 5053, arriving from Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, and Air India flight AI657, departing for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The close timing of the landing and takeoff created a chaotic situation that could have led to a catastrophic mishap.
Prompt action was taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which immediately de-rostered the Air Traffic Control (ATC) officer and staff responsible for the oversight. The DGCA has also launched a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to this breach of safety protocols.
The video, widely shared on social media, shows both aircraft on the same runway. The Air India aircraft is seen taking off while the IndiGo plane is simultaneously landing. Alok Yadav, General Secretary of the ATC Guild India, commented on the situation, noting that Mumbai and Delhi airports are high-intensity hubs, handling approximately 46 flights per hour. He emphasized that ATCOs are tasked with maintaining the safe and secure arrival and departure of aircraft. Yadav mentioned that the visibility appeared to be quite good, and under certain conditions, the traffic separation minima can be reduced through visual observation. He observed that the departing aircraft had already reached a critical speed and was nose-up as the arriving aircraft touched down on Runway 27.
IndiGo, in a statement, confirmed that the pilot of flight 6E 5053 adhered to the ATC’s instructions. “On June 8, 2024, IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was given landing clearance by ATC at Mumbai Airport. The Pilot in Command continued the approach and landing following ATC instructions. At IndiGo, passenger safety is paramount to us, and we have reported the incident as per procedure,” the statement read.
As investigations proceed, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and vigilant air traffic management in ensuring the safety of air travel.
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