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Regulator launches inquiry after Mumbai runway contact
India's aviation authority is investigating an incident at Mumbai airport where the wingtips of two passenger planes made contact on the runway, leading to an evacuation of passengers, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
What happened
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that an Air India Airbus A320, preparing for departure, was struck by an IndiGo A320 taxiing on a parallel path after landing. The regulator reported that the right wingtips of both aircraft briefly touched around 19:30 local time (14:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
Passenger safety and aircraft status
Both airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked safely. The Air India flight, bound for Coimbatore in southern India, and the IndiGo aircraft, arriving from Hyderabad, were immediately grounded for inspections.
An Air India spokesperson said the plane sustained wingtip damage and that alternative travel arrangements were made for affected passengers. IndiGo also reported that its passengers had safely disembarked and that an internal inquiry was underway.
No passenger count disclosed
Neither the airlines nor the DGCA provided details on the number of passengers or crew on board. However, an industry executive, speaking anonymously to the BBC, estimated that domestic Airbus A320 flights in India typically carry between 150 and 186 passengers, along with six to eight crew members.
Broader safety concerns
The incident occurs amid increased scrutiny of aviation safety in India following a string of recent issues. On Sunday, an Air India flight was temporarily grounded in Bengaluru after a pilot reported a malfunction in the fuel control switch, though the DGCA later confirmed no defect was found and the aircraft completed its journey safely.
In January, the regulator launched an investigation after an Air India Airbus A350 ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport. Authorities have stated that each incident is being reviewed individually under standard safety protocols.
Next steps
The DGCA has not indicated a timeline for the completion of its inquiry. Both airlines continue to cooperate with the investigation while ensuring operational safety measures remain in place.
