Airport Collision Details
A surprising event occurred at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Tuesday, when a catering truck, identified as a third-party
unmanned vehicle operating on the apron, unexpectedly moved and made contact with a parked IndiGo aircraft. The collision took place at Bay No. 51, and reports indicate that the catering vehicle lurched forward as it was starting up, leading to the impact with the parked aircraft's engine. Fortunately, the incident did not result in any injuries to personnel on the ground or on board, and the damage to the aircraft has been classified as minor. Relevant airport authorities were promptly notified of the incident, initiating the necessary procedures for investigation and assessment.
Aircraft Status and Reassignment
Following the collision with the catering truck, the affected IndiGo aircraft has been taken out of service and is currently undergoing thorough inspections and necessary maintenance. This precautionary measure is standard procedure to ensure the complete safety and airworthiness of the aircraft before it can resume its operational duties. IndiGo has stated that they are cooperating fully with the officials investigating the matter. As a result of the grounding, flight 6E 6663, which was scheduled to fly from Kolkata to Guwahati, has been reassigned to an alternate aircraft to minimize disruption to passenger travel plans. The airline is committed to a transparent investigation and will work closely with all relevant authorities.
Past Incidents Context
This incident at Kolkata airport is not the first of its kind involving aircraft and ground vehicles or other aircraft in Indian airspace. In February of the same year, the wingtips of an IndiGo flight (6E 791) and an Air India flight (AI 2732) made contact while they were taxiing at Mumbai airport; all passengers were reported safe in that instance. Additionally, in August of the preceding year, the tail of an IndiGo Airbus A321 aircraft struck the runway in Mumbai during a low-altitude go-around maneuver, which was attributed to adverse weather conditions. While these occurrences highlight the inherent risks in complex airport operations, it is important to note that in the case of the Kolkata collision, there have been no reported injuries or any significant mishap.
