Mumbai: ATC, 2 Air India pilots suspended after plane hits light pole

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Feb 24, 2016 12:56 PM IST

The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has suspended an air traffic controller and two pilots of Air India, who were operating a Boeing that hit a light pole at the Mumbai airport.

The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) has suspended an air traffic controller and two pilots of Air India, who were operating a Boeing that hit a light pole at the Mumbai airport.

According to airport sources, pilots accused the air traffic control (ATC) official on duty of assigning a smaller taxiway which caused the collision.(Vipin Kumar/ HT File)
According to airport sources, pilots accused the air traffic control (ATC) official on duty of assigning a smaller taxiway which caused the collision.(Vipin Kumar/ HT File)

Although the collision, that took place early on Tuesday, did not hurt anyone or cause any serious damage to the Boeing 777-300ER, the aviation safety regulator took serious note of the matter as the Newark-bound plane had 447 people on board.

According to airport sources, pilots accused the air traffic control (ATC) official on duty of assigning a smaller taxiway which caused the collision. There are designated taxiways for single-aisle and twin-aisle planes. While narrow body type aircraft are assigned Taxiway Y, Taxiway H is reserved for the big birds.

But the regulator said the pilots operating a jumbo should be versed with the right taxiing lanes.

“Even if the ATC assigns a wrong taxiway, a seasoned pilot should stop the aircraft if he or she feels that taxi clearance is not available,” a senior DGCA official requesting anonymity said.

An AI spokesperson confirmed the incident.

The incident delayed the flight by about two and a half hours, airport officials added.

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