A recent incident involving two IndiGo flights at the Delhi airport has raised concerns over aviation safety protocols. According to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), an IndiGo aircraft departing from Delhi to Hyderabad veered left after take-off, dangerously close to another IndiGo flight bound for Raipur.
The incident, which occurred on November 17 last year, saw the two aircraft coming into close proximity, prompting the activation of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). This system is designed to monitor airspace for potential collision risks and provide pilots with timely warnings.
The AAIB report highlighted the critical moments of the incident, stating that at the closest point of vertical separation, the aircraft were only 400 feet apart, with a lateral separation of 1.2 nautical miles. The lateral separation reduced to a mere 0.2 nautical miles, with a vertical separation of 800 feet.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the occupants of both aircraft, and there was no damage to either aircraft. However, the incident underscores the importance of maintaining strict adherence to aviation protocols to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
The report outlined the sequence of events leading up to the near miss. IndiGo’s A321 aircraft, designated to operate flight 6E 2113 to Hyderabad, received departure clearance from the northern runway system, departing from runway 27 at 12:31 pm. Meanwhile, the second aircraft, an A320, scheduled for flight 6E 2206 to Raipur, was preparing to depart from runway 29.
However, during the departure process, the Hyderabad-bound flight deviated from its designated path and turned left towards the take-off path of the Raipur-bound flight. This breach of separation occurred as both aircraft were in the process of ascending, leading to the triggering of a Current Conflict alert.
The incident underscores the need for stringent adherence to air traffic control instructions and precise navigation procedures. It also emphasizes the importance of robust communication between pilots and air traffic controllers to prevent such near misses in the future.
IndiGo has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident. However, it is expected that the airline will cooperate fully with the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and implement necessary measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Aviation authorities are likely to review the incident and implement any required changes to enhance safety protocols at the Delhi airport.
Sources By Agencies
