Watch: IndiGo aircraft touches down on runway as Air India's takes off, planes come dangerously close
Published: Jun 09, 2024, 24:00 IST | Updated: Jun 09, 2024, 24:00 IST
Screengrab of the planes on the runway.
In another runway mishap that would have been a catastrophe, an IndiGo aircraft made a touchdown on the same runway from which an Air India flight was taking off at Mumbai airport in India.
The two Airbus A320neos came dangerously close to each other on Saturday evening (June 8).
The IndiGo flight 5053 had taken off from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport (IDR) and was landing on Runway 27 while the Air India flight 657 took off for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), reported aviation news outlet Simple Flying.
According to the report, the Air India Airbus managed to get airborne and was able to take off without incident, but was likely unaware of the other plane approaching it from behind.
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
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that they have derostered an Air Traffic Control official and launched an investigation into the incident.
In the footage which circulated on social media platforms, the two planes are seen on the same runway - the Air India jet taking off and the IndiGo plane landing.
In a statement, IndiGo said that the pilot of the Indore-Mumbai flight followed the instructions of the ATC.
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"On Jun 8, 2024 IndiGo flight 6E 6053 from Indore was given landing clearance by ATC at Mumbai Airport. The pilot in Command continued the approach and landing and followed ATC instructions. At IndiGo, passenger safety is paramount to us, and we have reported the incident as per procedure," it said.
Meanwhile, Air India too claimed that ATC had given clearance to its plane for take-off.
"AI657 from Mumbai to Trivandrum was on take-off roll on June 8. The Air India aircraft was cleared by Air Traffic Control to enter the runway and subsequently cleared for take-off. The Air India aircraft continued with the take-off movement in accordance with laid down procedures. An investigation has been initiated by the authorities to find out more on the clearance given to the airlines," it said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)