HT Digital,
Kolkata, March 27: On Wednesday morning in Kolkata, two airplanes had a close encounter, grazing against each other on the runway and posing a significant risk to the hundreds of passengers on board.
An IndiGo aircraft bound for Darbhanga collided with a stationary Air India Express flight at Kolkata Airport. The Air India Express aircraft was waiting for clearance to enter the runway when it was struck by the IndiGo aircraft. This collision caused a portion of the Air India Express aircraft’s wing to fall onto the runway, while the wing of the IndiGo aircraft sustained denting.
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As per news agency ANI, the pilots of the IndiGo A320 VT-ISS have been taken off duty by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and a comprehensive investigation has been launched.
“We have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident, and both IndiGo airline pilots have been removed from active duty. The ground staff will also be interrogated during the investigation. Both flights have been grounded for detailed examination,” stated a DGCA official.
The IndiGo plane was carrying a total of 135 passengers, including four infants.
“A minor incident occurred between a taxiing IndiGo aircraft and another carrier’s aircraft at Kolkata Airport. The IndiGo aircraft returned to the bay for inspection and necessary action, following protocol,” stated the low-cost carrier, also informing the aviation regulator DGCA that an incident report had been submitted.
“As a result, IndiGo flight 6E 6152 between Kolkata and Darbhanga has been delayed,” it added. Passengers were provided with refreshments, and an alternative aircraft was arranged.
“IndiGo prioritizes passenger safety above all else. An incident report will be submitted to DGCA in due course,” the carrier assured.
Regarding the incident, an Air India Express spokesperson remarked, “The wingtip of a taxiing aircraft of another airline made contact with one of our stationary aircraft, which was 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, in coordination with the regulator and airport authorities. We apologize for the inconvenience caused to guests due to external circumstances.”
An incident report from Kolkata airport stated, “At 11:10 am, received information from ATC that one aircraft, IX 1886 (VT-TGG), reported wingtip vortices hit. Observed wingtip vortices of aircraft IX 1886 are missing and wingtip vortices of aircraft 6E 6152 have dents.”
