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Close Call Over Delhi Airport: IndiGo Planes’ Dangerous Proximity in November Sparks Investigation
Close Call Over Delhi Airport: IndiGo Planes’ Dangerous Proximity in November Sparks Investigation
On November 17, two IndiGo planes passed over Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in dangerous proximity to one another as their vertical and lateral separations fell below the minimum allowable standards. The Airbus A321 registered VT-IUO and the Airbus A320 registered VT-ISO were the aircraft involved in the incident. Flying from Delhi to Hyderabad, the first plane was in operation, and the second plane was headed for Raipur. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the event as “serious” and is investigating it.
What has the initial report revealed?
“The lateral separation was 1.2 nautical miles (NM) at the time of the closest vertical separation, which was 400 feet. The vertical separation was 800 feet at the moment of the closest lateral separation (0.2 NM). No one was hurt among the passengers in either aircraft. In its early investigation, the AAIB stated that there was no damage. The A321 was cleared by the air traffic controller and took off on November 17 at 12:31 PM, according to the report. However, the plane “was observed turning left toward RWY 29R (Runway 29 Right)’s takeoff path.” At that moment, the A320 was cleared to go and departed Runway 29 Right.
The AAIB stated, “A breach of separation occurred during this sequence, triggering a current conflict alert.” The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System sent pilots TCAS-RAs (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System-Resolution Advisory) for both aircraft.
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How did the AAIB obtain the data?
The flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders of the aircraft, among other sources, provided the information to the AAIB. According to Indian Express, the investigation team has also documented the initial declarations made by the flight crew and air traffic controllers in question.
