Mumbai Airport Averts Major Mishap As Air India, IndiGo Planes’ Wingtips Collide On Taxiway
Mumbai Airport Averts Major Mishap As Air India, IndiGo Planes’ Wingtips Collide On Taxiway
All passengers safe; DGCA seeks reports as aircraft grounded for inspection after ground collision at CSMIA.
A potential aviation disaster was narrowly avoided at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday after the wingtips of two passenger aircraft — operated by Air India and IndiGo — came into contact on the taxiway. Both aircraft were carrying passengers at the time of the incident, but no injuries were reported.
According to initial information, the incident involved Air India flight AI 2732, scheduled to operate from Mumbai to Coimbatore, and IndiGo flight 6E 791, which had just landed in Mumbai from Hyderabad. While the Air India aircraft was stationary on the taxiway awaiting clearance for take-off, the IndiGo aircraft was taxiing towards the parking bay after landing. During this movement, the wingtips of the two aircraft brushed against each other.
Airport officials confirmed that passengers from both aircraft were immediately and safely deplaned as a precautionary measure. Emergency protocols were followed, and the situation was brought under control without disruption to other operations.
In an official statement, an Air India spokesperson said the aircraft scheduled to operate AI 2732 made contact with another airline’s aircraft while waiting on the taxiway prior to departure. “The wingtips of the two aircraft touched, resulting in damage to our aircraft’s wingtip. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft has been grounded for further technical checks. All passengers were safely disembarked, and alternative arrangements are being made to take them to their destinations at the earliest,” the airline said, adding that the incident has been reported to the aviation regulator.
IndiGo also confirmed the incident, stating that the wingtip of its aircraft operating flight 6E 791 from Hyderabad to Mumbai came into contact with another aircraft while taxiing after landing. “All passengers are safe and were disembarked after parking. The aircraft is undergoing necessary maintenance inspections. In line with established protocols, the relevant authorities were promptly informed and the matter is under investigation,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.
Following the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sought detailed reports from both airlines to determine the cause of the ground collision and assess whether standard operating procedures were followed.
