Hundreds of passengers escaped a close shave as two aircraft came dangerously close to each other on the runway in Kolkata.
While taxiing at the Kolkata Airport, an IndiGo aircraft headed for Darbhanga collided with an Air India Express aircraft that was waiting for permission to take off. The wing of the IndiGo aircraft was dented, but a portion of the damaged Air India Express wing dropped onto the runway.
According to news agency ANI, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, or DGCA, has ordered a thorough investigation and off-rostered both of the IndiGo A320 VT-ISS pilots.
A DGCA official said.”We have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter and both the pilots of IndiGo airlines have been off-rostered. The ground staff will also be questioned during the investigation. Both the flights have been grounded for detailed inspection.”
135 passengers including 4 infants were onboard the indigo aircraft.
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“A minor graze between a taxiing IndiGo aircraft and that of another carrier was reported from Kolkata Airport. Per protocol, the aircraft returned to the bay for inspection and necessary action,” an official informed, adding that an incident report has been filed with the aviation regulator DGCA.
Consequently, IndiGo flight 6E 6152 between Kolkata and Darbhanga has been delayed. Refreshments were given to all passengers and an alternative aircraft was arranged.
The carrier added, “IndiGo prioritizes passenger safety above all else. An incident report will be submitted to DGCA in due course.”
“The wingtip of a taxiing aircraft of another airline grazed one of our aircraft, which was stationary and awaiting clearance to enter the runway at Kolkata for a scheduled operation to Chennai. The aircraft has since returned to the bay and further investigation is underway, for which we are coordinating with the regulator and airport authorities. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to guests due to external circumstances,” a spokesperson from Air India said speaking on the incident.
In an incident report, the Kolkata airport said, “At 11:10 am, received information from ATC that one aircraft IX 1886 (VT-TGG) report wingtip vortices hit. Observed wingtip vortices of aircraft IX 1886 are missing and wingtip vortices of aircraft 6E 6152 have dents.”
