Mumbai:
The Mumbai runway repairs are proving to be a nightmare for pilots in more ways than one. A total of six pilots from three different airlines have been de-rostered.
The Kingfisher flight was not the only one that hit a rough patch on Tuesday, three other planes were also hit.
The DGCA has de-rostered the pilots, two each from Kingfisher, Go Air and Air India for various incidents since the runway repairs began at Mumbai airport. Also asked the airlines to explain why they continued to operate despite the runway being wet.
A bigger concern for the DGCA is that a large aircraft like Airbus A 320s are not allowed to land on the shortened runway. But landings were allowed after operators paid a penalty.
In the case of the Kingfisher flight, NDTV has learnt that the plane landed almost nose down, much ahead of it touchdown point. The propeller engines stayed on at full speed even after the aircraft halted. The pilots left the cockpit with engine still running and rescue teams couldn't begin work with engines still on. Even ATC's attempts to contact pilots got no response. Foam had to be sprayed to shut engine, and rescue crew found no pilots in the cockpit.
Kingfisher in a strongly worded statement denies this sequence of events.
"Some media reports have speculated that the pilot/cockpit crew ran away from the aircraft following the incident. We categorically deny this as false and mischievous. The cockpit crew and the cabin crew all remained present till all guests had safely exited from the aircraft and performed their duties as required of them in the given situation," said Prakash Mirpuri, vice president (Corporate Communications), Kingfisher Airlines.
"The commander of our flight did not receive any notification advising or alerting our aircraft of any special conditions prevailing on the runway, as otherwise the commander may have elected to request for a go around and/or diversion to and alternate airfield. Kingfisher Airlines complied with the requirements specified," he added.
To land or not to land is the prerogative of the pilot. The DGCA had issued a notice to all airlines warning them against landing on a short wet runway. Questions then why did the ATC allow the Kingfisher aircraft to land, and why did the aircraft land despite the DGCA notice.
The Kingfisher incident has certainly opened a new set of challenges for the DGCA. As Mumbai airport goes about its much needed repair work, there are challenges that will require quick solutions.
The Kingfisher flight was not the only one that hit a rough patch on Tuesday, three other planes were also hit.
The DGCA has de-rostered the pilots, two each from Kingfisher, Go Air and Air India for various incidents since the runway repairs began at Mumbai airport. Also asked the airlines to explain why they continued to operate despite the runway being wet.
A bigger concern for the DGCA is that a large aircraft like Airbus A 320s are not allowed to land on the shortened runway. But landings were allowed after operators paid a penalty.
In the case of the Kingfisher flight, NDTV has learnt that the plane landed almost nose down, much ahead of it touchdown point. The propeller engines stayed on at full speed even after the aircraft halted. The pilots left the cockpit with engine still running and rescue teams couldn't begin work with engines still on. Even ATC's attempts to contact pilots got no response. Foam had to be sprayed to shut engine, and rescue crew found no pilots in the cockpit.
Kingfisher in a strongly worded statement denies this sequence of events.
"Some media reports have speculated that the pilot/cockpit crew ran away from the aircraft following the incident. We categorically deny this as false and mischievous. The cockpit crew and the cabin crew all remained present till all guests had safely exited from the aircraft and performed their duties as required of them in the given situation," said Prakash Mirpuri, vice president (Corporate Communications), Kingfisher Airlines.
"The commander of our flight did not receive any notification advising or alerting our aircraft of any special conditions prevailing on the runway, as otherwise the commander may have elected to request for a go around and/or diversion to and alternate airfield. Kingfisher Airlines complied with the requirements specified," he added.
To land or not to land is the prerogative of the pilot. The DGCA had issued a notice to all airlines warning them against landing on a short wet runway. Questions then why did the ATC allow the Kingfisher aircraft to land, and why did the aircraft land despite the DGCA notice.
The Kingfisher incident has certainly opened a new set of challenges for the DGCA. As Mumbai airport goes about its much needed repair work, there are challenges that will require quick solutions.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world