An incident involving an IndiGo aircraft and a stationary Air India Express plane at Kolkata airport on Wednesday morning has sparked an inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The mishap occurred during taxiing for take-off, resulting in damage to both aircraft involved. The Air India Express Flight IX 1866, bound for Chennai with 169 passengers, and the Darbhanga-bound IndiGo flight 6E 6152, carrying 133 passengers, were both grounded following the incident.
Although no injuries were reported, passengers on the Air India Express aircraft experienced a jolt during the collision at approximately 10:30 am. Both planes sustained damage and were taken out of service for inspection and repairs. The DGCA has initiated an inquiry into the incident, focusing on the actions of the IndiGo pilots, who may have made an error of judgment leading to the collision. As a precautionary measure, the pilots have been de-rostered pending the outcome of the investigation.
The incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and adherence to standard operating procedures in airport operations. Authorities are expected to review surveillance footage, gather witness statements, and analyse flight data to determine the sequence of events and identify any lapses in protocol.
