Unexpected Collision Occurs
An unusual incident unfolded at Subhash Chandra Bose Airport in Kolkata when a catering truck, while being operated, suddenly moved forward and made contact
with a stationary IndiGo aircraft. The collision took place at Bay No. 51, resulting in minor damage to the plane's engine. This event involved a third-party vehicle operating on the airport apron. Immediate notification was made to the relevant aviation authorities to ensure proper procedures were followed. IndiGo confirmed that the damaged aircraft has been taken out of service for comprehensive checks and necessary repairs before it can resume its flight schedule. The airline is fully cooperating with officials to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the mishap.
Operational Impact and Response
Following the collision, the affected IndiGo aircraft was immediately grounded for extensive inspections and mandatory maintenance. This precautionary measure is standard practice to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the plane before it can be put back into operation. The disruption meant that flight 6E 6663, originally scheduled to fly from Kolkata to Guwahati, had to be reassigned to a different aircraft. IndiGo released a statement emphasizing their commitment to working closely with investigators to understand how the catering vehicle lurched forward and impacted the aircraft's engine. The airline reiterated that there were no reported injuries to any personnel or passengers as a result of this incident, highlighting that it was a minor mishap.
Pattern of Airport Incidents
This recent incident at Kolkata airport is not an isolated event in the aviation sector. It follows a series of similar occurrences involving aircraft. For instance, in February, the wingtips of an IndiGo flight (6E 791) and an Air India flight (AI 2732) came into contact while taxiing at Mumbai airport; fortunately, all passengers were safe in that instance. Another incident occurred last August at Mumbai airport, where the tail of an IndiGo Airbus A321 scraped the runway during a low-altitude go-around maneuver necessitated by adverse weather conditions. While these events have caused concern, the primary focus remains on ensuring no serious injuries or major accidents occur, with ongoing efforts to enhance safety protocols across all airports.
