Close Call at Mumbai Airport: IndiGo Lands as Air India Takes Off on Same Runway
Close Call at Mumbai Airport: IndiGo Lands as Air India Takes Off on Same Runway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated an investigation and removed the Air Traffic Control official on duty.
Mumbai: Hundreds of passengers narrowly avoided a disaster at Mumbai airport yesterday when an IndiGo aircraft landed on the same runway from which an Air India jet was taking off. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation swiftly launched a probe and removed an Air Traffic Control official from duty.
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
A video circulating on social media shows both planes on the same runway. Moments after the Air India jet took off, the IndiGo plane landed. The IndiGo flight was arriving from Indore, while the Air India aircraft was departing for Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
In a statement, IndiGo confirmed that the pilot followed ATC instructions. “On June 8, 2024, IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore received landing clearance from ATC at Mumbai Airport. The Pilot in Command proceeded with the approach and landing in accordance with ATC instructions. At IndiGo, passenger safety is our top priority, and we have reported the incident as per procedure,” the statement read.
Air India also stated that its plane was cleared for takeoff by ATC. “Flight AI657 from Mumbai to Trivandrum was on its takeoff roll on June 8. The Air India aircraft was cleared by Air Traffic Control to enter the runway and subsequently for takeoff. The aircraft continued its takeoff according to established procedures. Authorities have initiated an investigation to understand more about the clearances given to the airlines,” Air India said in a statement.
