Close Call in Mumbai: IndiGo Touchdown Incident

Close Call in Mumbai: IndiGo Touchdown Incident

On Wednesday, August 17, 2023, an IndiGo Airlines flight (6E-1485) from Chennai to Mumbai experienced a harrowing incident upon landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).

Incident Details

As the Airbus A320neo approached the runway, the aircraft’s pilot noticed a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 (SG-161) crossing the same runway. The SpiceJet aircraft was on takeoff roll, taking off from Runway 27 while IndiGo was preparing to land on Runway 28.

Near-Collision

According to air traffic control, the IndiGo aircraft came within a “near-miss” of the SpiceJet plane, passing just 200 feet vertically and 300 feet horizontally. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately alerted both pilots to the situation.

Evacuation and Investigation

IndiGo’s pilot promptly aborted the landing and executed a go-around procedure. The aircraft climbed to a safe altitude before returning for a second attempt. All 182 passengers and crew on board were safely evacuated without any injuries.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Key Points

The incident occurred due to a potential miscommunication between the ATC and the pilots.
The quick reactions of both pilots averted a potentially fatal collision.
The near-miss highlights the importance of vigilance and coordination in air traffic management.
The DGCA investigation is ongoing to ensure the safety of air travelers and improve aviation procedures.