A disaster was averted at Mumbai airport after an IndiGo aircraft landed on the same runway where an Air India jet was preparing for takeoff, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic collision. Responding swiftly, the Directorate of Civil Aviation, responsible for aviation regulation, initiated an investigation and de-rostered an Air Traffic Control official pending further inquiry.
Footage of the incident circulating on social media shows the moment when both planes were on the same runway. Following the departure of the Air India jet bound for Thiruvananthapuram, the IndiGo plane descends for landing, raising concerns about a potential disaster. The IndiGo flight originated from Indore and was destined for Mumbai.
In what could have been an extreme disaster, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation de rostered the ATC officer (ATCO) who gave clearance to the IndiGo aircraft to land at Mumbai Airport on June 8, while an Air India flight was taking off on the same runway.
"We are conducting a probe and have already de-rostered the ATCO involved in the incident," a top DGCA official told CNBC-TV18. The incident came to light after a video surfaced on social media capturing the arriving and departing aircraft at an extremely risky distance.
IndiGo said its aircraft continued approach only after the ATC allowed its pilot to do so.
"On Jun 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 and followed ATC instructions," IndiGo said in a statement shared with CNBC-TV18.
Also read: Over 4 million passenger movement recorded at Mumbai International Airport in April 2024
The airline added passenger safety is paramount to IndiGo and incident has been reported as per procedure.
An official at Mumbai ATC explained to CNBC-TV18 that the arriving aircraft is given clearance to cross the runway threshold only when the departing aircraft crosses the runway or takes a turn.
"This protocol was not followed in this particular incident and the distance between the two planes was closer than allowed," the officer explained.
Footage of the incident circulating on social media shows the moment when both planes were on the same runway. Following the departure of the Air India jet bound for Thiruvananthapuram, the IndiGo plane descends for landing, raising concerns about a potential disaster. The IndiGo flight originated from Indore and was destined for Mumbai.
In what could have been an extreme disaster, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation de rostered the ATC officer (ATCO) who gave clearance to the IndiGo aircraft to land at Mumbai Airport on June 8, while an Air India flight was taking off on the same runway.
Very Close call today at VABB. @IndiGo6E tries to land while an aircraft is still on the roll on RW27. #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/tbHsDXjneF
— Hirav (@hiravaero) June 8, 2024
"We are conducting a probe and have already de-rostered the ATCO involved in the incident," a top DGCA official told CNBC-TV18. The incident came to light after a video surfaced on social media capturing the arriving and departing aircraft at an extremely risky distance.
IndiGo said its aircraft continued approach only after the ATC allowed its pilot to do so.
"On Jun 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 and followed ATC instructions," IndiGo said in a statement shared with CNBC-TV18.
Also read: Over 4 million passenger movement recorded at Mumbai International Airport in April 2024
The airline added passenger safety is paramount to IndiGo and incident has been reported as per procedure.
An official at Mumbai ATC explained to CNBC-TV18 that the arriving aircraft is given clearance to cross the runway threshold only when the departing aircraft crosses the runway or takes a turn.
"This protocol was not followed in this particular incident and the distance between the two planes was closer than allowed," the officer explained.
Check out our in-depth Market Coverage, Business News & get real-time Stock Market Updates on CNBC-TV18. Also, Watch our channels CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz and CNBC Bajar Live on-the-go!
