The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken swift action in response to an incident at Kolkata Airport involving an IndiGo Airlines aircraft colliding with a stationary Air India Express plane.
Following the occurrence, both pilots operating the IndiGo A320 VT-ISS aircraft have been relieved of their duties pending a thorough investigation. Additionally, ground staff members implicated in the incident will undergo questioning as part of the inquiry process. To facilitate a comprehensive examination of the situation, both affected flights have been grounded.
According to a senior DGCA official, the collision took place during a taxiing maneuver, with the IndiGo aircraft making contact with the stationary Air India Express 737 VT-TGG. The DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the collision and assign accountability for the incident.
An official from Air India Express clarified the matter, saying that the incident happened when the taxiing plane's wingtip touched their grounded plane. When the plane crashed, it was on a routine journey to Chennai and was waiting for runway permission to take off. Returning the damaged Air India Express plane to the port for additional inspection was a safe next step after the mishap.
In collaboration with regulatory authorities and airport officials, Air India Express is actively participating in ongoing investigations to comprehensively evaluate the incident. The spokesperson extended apologies to passengers for any inconvenience caused as a result of the incident, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of passengers remain the airline's top priority.
The incident underscores the critical importance of adherence to safety protocols and procedures in aviation operations. The DGCA's prompt response and initiation of a thorough investigation demonstrate its commitment to ensuring aviation safety and preventing similar incidents in the future. As investigations progress, further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision are expected to emerge, providing valuable insights for enhancing safety measures within the aviation industry.
