Mumbai: Amid consistent heavy downpour in Mumbai, an IndiGo suffered a hand landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) as its tail touched the runway during a very low-level go-around. Amid uninterrupted rainfall, Mumbai Airport reported minor disruptions in air travel due to low visibility and water logging in surrounding areas.
IndiGo Aircraft Aborts Landing
According to sources, IndiGo’s flight arriving CSMIA on Saturday morning decided to abort landing due to unfavourable weather conditions as the city was witnessing heavy rainfall with runway visibility of less than 2000 metre. The flight executed a very low-level turn-around, typically less than 400 feet above ground level, during which its tail touched the runway.
Airbus A321 Suffers Damage
The Airbus A321, registered as VT-ICM, suffered damage after a tail strike after which it carried out another approach and landed safely. The aircraft was grounded for mandatory checks at the airport before allowing it to be operated for subsequent flights.
IndiGo Issues Statement On Safety Protocols
Commenting about the incident, an IndiGo spokesperson said, “Following the standard protocol, the aircraft will go through necessary checks/ repairs and regulatory clearance before resuming operations. At IndiGo, the safety of our customers, crew, and aircraft is our top priority. We are making all efforts to minimise any subsequent impact on our operations due to this incident.”
Minor Delays And Advisories Issued
Notably, the heavy downpour in Mumbai caused minor disruptions at the city airport. According to Flightradar24, CSMIA reported a disruption index of around 3.0 in the first half of the day, signifying minor problems with some delays or few cancellations.
Several airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air, published advisories for travelers departing from Mumbai to be cautious about flight delays and increased travel time to airport.
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Passengers Warned Of Delays On Key Routes
IndiGo, in its advisory, told the travelers that several key routes were affected resulting in longer and slower journeys to the airport. “If you are travelling today, please check your flight status before you leave and allow for extra travel time. Our teams are closely monitoring the weather and are at the airport to assist you,” read the advisory.
