Sukhoi Plane’s Hard Landing At Pune Airport Disrupts Flight Schedule
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A Sukhoi plane’s sudden hard landing at Pune Airport on Wednesday disrupted the flight schedule, causing delays and diversions of several passenger flights. The incident occurred during a practice session when the plane crashed down from a height of eight to ten feet while landing on the runway.
“The weight of the Sukhoi plane is approximately 18,400 kg, and its landing speed is around 230 km per hour. If the plane crashes at such a speed, the runway is damaged,” said Air Marshal (Retd.) Bhushan Gokhale while speaking to Sakal.
The Air Force immediately closed the runway for 40 minutes as a precautionary measure, issuing a ‘Notam’ (Notice to Airmen) to alert other aircraft. Four flights were diverted, and seven to eight flights were delayed by about one to one and a half hours from their scheduled time.
- – Indigo flight from Chennai to Pune diverted to Hyderabad
- – Indigo flight from Delhi to Pune diverted to Mumbai
- – Vistara’s flight from Delhi to Pune diverted to Mumbai
- – Air India flight from Bangalore to Pune returned to Bangalore
“Pilot error or wind can cause a hard landing. The results depend on the weight of the aircraft and its speed on the runway,” said Gokhale.
The incident highlights the importance of runway safety and the need for prompt action in such situations. The Pune Airport, being a base station for the Air Force, witnesses regular practice sessions, and such incidents can have significant implications for passenger flights.
The runway was closed for inspection, and the ‘Notam’ was lifted at 11:10 am after Air Force officials inspected the runway. Passenger planes started landing at Pune airport after the clearance.
