Mumbai, July 21 – An Air India aircraft (AI2744) arriving from Kochi skidded off the runway during landing at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday morning. The incident, which occurred at 9:27 AM, has been attributed to slippery runway conditions caused by continuous heavy rainfall in the city. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
Aircraft Skids 17 Meters Off Runway
According to officials, the Boeing aircraft veered approximately 16 to 17 meters off runway 09/27 and came to a halt on a grassy patch adjacent to the tarmac. Images from the scene showed damage to the nacelle (engine cover) of the aircraft’s right engine, which appears to have scraped the ground during the skid. In addition, three of the aircraft’s tires were reported to have burst.
Despite the incident, the flight crew managed to safely taxi the aircraft to the designated parking bay, where all passengers and crew members were deboarded without harm.
Runway Operations Suspended, DGCA Launches Investigation
Air India confirmed that while the aircraft sustained minor damage, all onboard were safe. However, Mumbai Airport’s primary runway (09/27) suffered visible damage, including the breakage of three signage boards and four edge lights. As a result, operations on the main runway have been temporarily suspended.
To maintain regular flight movement, the airport authorities activated the secondary runway (14/32). A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) arrived on site shortly after the incident to initiate an official investigation. Air India also confirmed that both pilots involved in the incident have been temporarily relieved of duty pending the outcome of the probe.
Not the First Incident During Monsoon Season
This is not the first time Mumbai Airport has experienced such an event during the monsoon. On September 14, 2023, a Learjet 45 business jet (VT-DBL) arriving from Visakhapatnam skidded off the same runway in similar conditions of heavy rain and low visibility. That aircraft broke into two upon impact, leaving eight people, including two pilots, injured.
The recurring nature of these incidents underscores the operational risks airports face during India’s monsoon season, particularly in metro cities with high air traffic density like Mumbai.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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