DELHI- A possible crash was narrowly averted at Delhi airport (DEL) on Wednesday (August 23, 2023) morning when a Vistara (UK) Airlines aircraft received clearance for takeoff while another aircraft was in the midst of landing.
The takeoff was promptly halted upon directions from the Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Vistara Plane Crash Averted at Delhi
During this incident, Flight UK725, bound for Bagdogra, was initiating its departure from the recently inaugurated runway. Meanwhile, another Vistara flight traveling from Ahmedabad to Delhi had just landed on a parallel runway and was proceeding toward the far end of the same runway.
“Both aircraft were granted clearance simultaneously, but the Air Traffic Control (ATC) quickly intervened. The ATC officer in charge instructed the Vistara flight to cancel its takeoff,” revealed an official who was informed about the incident, as reported by ANI.
The Delhi-Bagdogra flight promptly returned to the parking area after the take-off was halted on the active runway.
Officials confirmed that the aircraft was refueled to ensure it had sufficient fuel for a return to Delhi in case adverse weather conditions were encountered in Bagdogra. They also examined the braking system.
Airport Officials Report
According to airport authorities, failure to halt the taking-off aircraft at the appropriate moment could have resulted in a serious accident.
As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), no aircraft or vehicle movement is permitted during the take-off and landing processes.
Sources mentioned that passengers grew somewhat uneasy when the pilot of the Bagdogra-bound flight informed them that the departure was canceled due to ATC instructions.
Expert Opinion
Noted pilot and founder of Safety Matters Foundation, Capt Amit Singh, stated that operations involving closely spaced runways necessitate heightened monitoring and strict adherence to SOPs to prevent potential traffic collisions caused by the proximity of flight paths reported ET.
“Typically, a take-off clearance is not given to an aircraft on one runway until the aircraft on the second runway has landed,” he explained.
“However, in the event of an oversight where the aircraft is permitted to take off from one runway and the aircraft approaching the second runway decides to abort the landing and perform a go-around, the flight paths of the two aircraft in the air might intersect since the runways they were aligned with are closely situated,” he elaborated.”
Photos By: Harsh Tekriwal (@avgeekwithlens) • Instagram photos and videos
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