Close Call on Tarmac
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport witnessed a rare ground incident on Tuesday when two commercial passenger jets, one operated
by Air India and the other by IndiGo, made contact. The Air India flight was preparing for its departure to Coimbatore, while the IndiGo aircraft had just concluded its journey from Hyderabad. Both planes were maneuvering on the taxiway simultaneously, with one pushing back from its gate and the other moving post-arrival. Airport sources indicated that the contact occurred at low speeds, resulting in a slight jolt for passengers on board. Fortunately, the cabin crew managed the situation effectively, preventing any panic. The incident necessitated thorough safety assessments and led to considerable travel delays for passengers.
Damage and Disruption
Following the wingtip contact, Air India confirmed the incident, stating that its aircraft had encountered another airline's plane while awaiting clearance on the taxiway. The airline reported minor damage to the wingtip of its aircraft and, as a precautionary measure, grounded the plane for comprehensive technical inspections. All passengers from the affected Air India flight were safely evacuated and escorted back to the terminal. Air India's ground staff immediately initiated arrangements for alternative flights to ensure that the stranded passengers could continue their journey to Coimbatore as promptly as possible. The airline assured that the incident had been reported to the relevant regulatory authorities, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remained their utmost priority, and apologized for any inconvenience caused.
Safety Protocols and Expert Views
While IndiGo had not issued an official statement regarding the condition of their aircraft or the subsequent actions, airport officials confirmed that standard safety protocols were rigorously followed. The IndiGo aircraft was subsequently moved for inspection. Aviation experts commented on the event, noting that while such occurrences are not common, they can occasionally happen at heavily congested airports, particularly in tight spaces during taxiing or pushback operations. Wingtip brushes are identified as one of the more frequent categories of ground incidents globally. Mumbai airport, being one of India's busiest aviation hubs handling a multitude of aircraft movements daily, presents unique operational challenges. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough review of this incident to ascertain if any procedural adjustments are needed to mitigate the risk of similar events in the future.
