Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport saw a bizarre accident where two aircraft came dangerously close to each other on the runway.
Out of the two aircraft, one was a taxiing Darbhanga-bound IndiGo which finally hit a stationary Air India Express flight that was waiting for clearance to go on the runway. As per reports, the IndiGo aircraft was carrying a hundred and thirty-five passengers, including four newborns.
Due to the minor graze between the two aircraft, a part of the Air India Express aircraft’s wing fell on the runway, while the IndiGo aircraft’s wing was dented. Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) immediately off-rostered both the IndiGo A320 VT-ISS pilots and ordered a detailed investigation.
According to a DGCA official, they have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter and both the pilots of IndiGo airlines have been off-rostered. During the investigation, the ground staff will also be questioned. Both the flights have been grounded for a complete checkup.
From Kolkata Airport, a minor graze between a taxiing IndiGo aircraft and that of another carrier was reported. The low-cost carrier says that the aircraft returned to the bay for a checkup and necessary action, as a procedure, and also adding that an incident report has been filed with the aviation regulator DGCA. Therefore, IndiGo flight 6E 6152 between Kolkata and Darbhanga has been delayed, it added.
IndiGo prioritizes passenger safety above anything else. To DGCA an incident report will be submitted within the due course, says the carrier. An Air India Express spokesperson said that regarding this incident 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 planned operation to Chennai. The aircraft has returned to the bay and more investigation is taking place. We apologize to the passengers for the inconvenience caused because of the external conditions.
An incident report stated that at 11.10 am, the Kolkata got information from ATC that one aircraft IX 1886 (VT-TGG) reported wingtip vortices hit. Detected wingtip vortices of aircraft IX 1886 are missing and wingtip vortices of aircraft 6E 6152 have dents.
